India to have 500 million smartphones soon, says Ravi Shankar Prasad

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: India is all set to be home to 500 million smartphones soon said Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday.

Talking at the Mindmine Summit Prasad said, "India is changing and evolving for good every second. The government is connecting 2,50,000 gram panchayats with optical fibre and very soon India will be home to 500 million smartphones. These initiatives are bringing people together for mutual growth.”

At present, there are about 400 million Internet users in the country and most of them are accessing the service through their phones.

As per market research firm IDC, smartphone shipment in India in a single quarter of 2015 was about 28 million.
Prasad said that soon numerous initiatives including virtual mobile networks which will help consumers not just get more choices for voice and data services, but also allow telecom companies to monetise unused airwaves.

With PTI inputs