The federal government of India has reportedly sought manufacturers to undertake NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation) as rapidly as attainable. NavIC for the unversed is an indigenous different to navigation satellite tv for pc techniques like GPS and GLONASS. Whereas it’s been round for a few years, India is de facto pushing the smartphone manufacturers out there to include it earlier than January 23, 2022. This report by Reuters brings this scoop to us and in addition shares how the stakeholders are reacting to this sudden choice.
NavIC in telephones: GOI’s take
In its mission of constructing Indian self-reliant, the federal government desires to standardize NavIC rather than the US’s GPS and Russia’s GLONASS.
Its declare is the NavIC is “pretty much as good as GPS of the USA when it comes to place accuracy and availability in its service area.“
NavIC, which is the operational identify for Indian Regional Navigation Satellite tv for pc System (IRNSS) and is designed to cowl 1500 kms round India, extra precisely. Though Civilians can use it, part of it will likely be solely utilized by the protection. It employs 8 satellites for this objective together with IRNSS-1A, IRNSS-1B, IRNSS-1C, IRNSS-1D, IRNSS-1E, IRNSS-1F, IRNSS-1G, and IRNSS-1I.
As per Counterpoint Analysis, about 300 smartphones already ship with assist for NAVIC. The federal government desires extra to hitch this membership quickly.
NavIC in telephones: Smartphone model’s response
Two of the issues that manufacturers have are value and clearance.
Samsung India’s Binu George addresses the primary concern by saying, “This is able to add to value because it requires {hardware} design modifications and extra investments to assist gadgets particular to India. Additional, the businesses have already ready for fashions to be launched in 2024.“
That is notably related to the reasonably priced cellphone market.
The opposite concern is that NAVIC implementation would require extra testing clearances, that too earlier than the January 1 deadline. This might get in the way in which of their launch schedules.
Nevertheless, Meity has cleared the air by saying that the deadline isn’t set in stone.
A media report has claimed citing a gathering that cell cos have been requested to make smartphones suitable with NavIC inside months. That is to make clear: (1) No timeline has been mounted. (2) The cited assembly was consultative; and (3) the difficulty is below dialogue with all stakeholders.
— Ministry of Electronics & IT (@GoI_MeitY) September 26, 2022
We are going to maintain our eyes on this matter and convey to you developments as and after they occur.
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