Data is oxygen, Indians have it in abundance: Mukesh Ambani at IMC 2017

Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani on Wednesday said that data is the oxygen of a digital economy, and Indians have it in super-abundance.

Hailing India as one of the biggest telecom markets in the world, while addressing the Indian Mobile Congress 2017 (IMC) at Pragati Maidan here, Ambani said that data is a 'vital life-sustaining resource' which should be provided to all Indians at the most feasible cost.

"The fourth industrial revolution, fuelled by connectivity, data and Artificial Intelligence has begun. Data is the oxygen of a digital economy. We cannot deprive Indians of this vital life-sustaining resource. Data is the new oil, which does not need to be imported. We have it in super-abundance," Ambani said.

Highlighting the achievements of the Indian telecom industry so far, Ambani claimed that in the next 10 years, India will grow from a USD 2.5 trillion to a USD 7 trillion economy and rank among the top three economies in the world. Further, he also stated that 4G network is projected to surpass 2G network in the next twelve months.

"The pace at which the Indian Mobile Industry has grown is unparalleled in the world. India leapfrogged from 155th in mobile broadband penetration to being top mobile data consumer in the world in last one year," he said.

Further, he highlighted the need of the hour to be the presence of internet for all Indians at affordable prices.

"India must tap the potential of new technologies to transform and create jobs in rural and agricultural sector. India must embark on the task of connecting everything and everyone via super Internet of Things," he said.

Meanwhile, Aruna Sundarajan, Secratary, Telecom Ministry said India can be transformed into a manufacturing hub and global telecom leader, adding that 'Make in India' can aid the employment generation drive.

IMC 2017 is jointly organised by the COAI and K AND D Communications Ltd. This first of its kind event is supported by the Ministry of Communication (Department of Telecommunications), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Skill Development and Entrepreneurship amongst others.