'Beyond just means of chatting': PM Modi highlights biggest citizen dividend of technology

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said mobile phones have evolved beyond being a means of communication, helping people cut travel and waiting time, reduce costs and access greater convenience. He described these benefits as the “biggest citizen dividend” of technology.

He described the Digital India initiative as a major effort towards the democratisation of technology, stressing that the government sought to bridge the digital divide and ensure modern technology did not remain a privilege limited to those with access to resources.

While speaking at the 10th edition of India Mobile Congress in Delhi, Modi said, "Mobile phones are no longer just a means of chatting. They have ensured less travel, less waiting, lower costs and greater convenience. This is the biggest citizen dividend of technology."


"Through the Digital India initiative, we resolved to change this situation, with the mobile phone at the centre of this transformation. This has been a major effort towards the democratisation of technology," Prime Minister Modi stated.

He said India had faced a major challenge in the form of the digital divide, with modern technology increasingly becoming a privilege for those who had the resources to benefit from it.

"Over the past 10–12 years, the mobile phone has emerged not only as a means of modern communication, but also as an important tool for good governance. It has remained at the core of our Digital India vision," he added.

PM Modi said the government undertook reforms in the telecom sector and expanded infrastructure as part of its efforts to democratise access to technology.

"We also focused on ensuring that mobile phones and other telecom hardware were manufactured in India itself," he said.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the expansion of 5G connectivity in the country, noting that the technology had reached every district. He said there were more than 5.5 lakh 5G base stations operating across India, powering the 5G network, while mobile internet speeds had increased tenfold compared to 2022.

Recalling his participation in previous editions of the India Mobile Congress, PM Modi said the platform had witnessed the evolution of India's telecom sector and digital connectivity over the years. He noted that 5G was launched in the country from the India Mobile Congress platform in 2022, while in 2023 he had spoken about India's transition from 5G rollout to 5G reach-out.

The Prime Minister also expressed gratitude to citizens and friends of India across the world for their wishes and greetings on the completion of 25 years of his service as the Head of Government.

Earlier, PM Modi inaugurated the 10th edition of the India Mobile Congress at Yashobhoomi in the national capital. Upon his arrival, he was felicitated by Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia.