India Doesn’t Need To Import Data: Ambani

Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries Limited, delivered a keynote speech at the first India Mobile Congress on Wednesday. The richest man in India urged executives from fellow technology companies in India and the country’s government to work together in order to provide the countrymen with tools and investing in new ideas as the country climbs its way to succeed in the new digital age.

Mukesh Ambani said that that the telecom and IT sectors together have to play a foundation role in creating the digital infrastructure which in turn will help the Indian economy to grow from $2.5 trillion a year to over $7 trillion a year in the next 10 years. He also said- “data is the new oil which India doesn’t need to import. We have it in super abundance. It will be a source of value and will create opportunities and prosperity for India and Indians.”

Further, he also said that- “Data is the oxygen for a digital economy. We cannot deprive Indians of this vital life sustaining resource. We have to provide ubiquitous access to high speed data at an affordable price and at the same time we have to ensure that every Indian has access to affordable smartphone that connects them to limitless knowledge and the power of the internet.”

The man whose Reliance Jio has gained more than 100 million subscribers in less than a year described Sunil Mittal of Airtel as a friend and said that said the country has already exhibited its potential to the world by jumping from the 150th position in the mobile broadband consumption to being the number one in less than a year. “Now, the companies should attempt to guide Indians to play strong in other fields as well. If we give Indians the right tool, they will transform India into the home of a million startups,” he added.

But it doesn’t end here. He added that- “We need to invest in new ideas from people. Our human capital is our greatest asset […] Digital technology can be a boon for everyone, especially people in villages.”

How far will Ambani’s speech go and how big of a difference will it make. Only time will tell. For now, what we have to look forward to is the Reliance’s Jio Phone that is breaking records in its pre-order phase even.