Context: Recently, the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi delivered inaugural address at the virtual India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2020.
Background

• The number of smartphone users in India was estimated to reach over 760 million in 2021, with the number of smartphone users worldwide forecasted to exceed to 3.8 billion users in 2021.
• India, the second most populous country in the world, was projected to pass the United States in number of smartphone users in 2017.

Key Points

• The theme for IMC 2020 is "Inclusive Innovation - Smart, Secure, Sustainable”.
• The conference told the telecom industry leaders that all stakeholders need to work together to ensure timely roll-out of 5G technology.
• It also highlighted to make India a global hub for telecom equipment, design, development and manufacturing.
• It aims to align to the Prime Minister’s vision to promote ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’, ‘Digital Inclusivity’, and ‘Sustainable development, entrepreneurship & innovation’.
• It also aims to drive foreign and local investments, encourage R&D in the telecom and emerging technology sectors.

Significance of 5G Technology

• Improving accessibility: The improvements in 5G technology can help make life better.
• Extending the reach of mobile broadband: 5G can power technology well beyond what current mobile technology permits.
• 5G promises to make significant improvements in 3D holograms, virtual reality and augmented reality because of its speed and bandwidth.
• Improving safety, health and security: Access to 5G technology promises to improve mission-critical services that affect safety and security of services.

Additional Information
India Mobile Congress

• It is the largest digital technology forum in South Asia.
• It is organised by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and Cellular Operator Association of India (COAI).
• It acts as a common platform for bringing together the industry, Government, academia, and other ecosystem players, to discuss and display the latest technology in the world. 
• Apart from being the largest digital technology event, it is also the largest networking event in India.