India Mobile Congress is shaping up to be the largest mobile technology event in the country

With over 300 exhibitors, 5000 global delegates, 1000 homegrown startups, an expected footfall of 3 lakhs per day, and a congregation of IT Ministers from all SAARC nations, the debut of the India Mobile Congress is shaping up to be a one-of-a-kind marquee event for India. Here's the latest on preparation plans, smartphone launches, tech attendees and more from India's MWC spin-off.

To be held in September, IMC was the brainchild of Rajan Mathews, Director General of the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI). Although the India Mobile Congress is being supported by multiple Government bodies such as the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MOSD&E) and The Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP), it was COAI that sowed the seeds for an event of this scale.

This is the first time India is attempting a mobile technology event of this magnitude. The national capital seemed to be the most strategic venue to host the India Mobile Congress, given its ease of access for global attendees and the fact that the central government is putting a lot of weight behind it. The mammoth show will be an annual affair going forward.

As far as participation is concerned, a slew of technology giants have already confirmed their presence at IMC. Some prominent names include - Nokia, Huawei, Samsung, Facebook, Google, Cisco, Intel, Qualcomm, Airtel, Vodafone, Idea, Aircel, Telenor, Reliance Jio, Spreadtrum and more. We are told that the likes of Oppo, Vivo, Xiaomi and OnePlus are also in the fray, but have not confirmed their involvement just yet. Keeping with its Digital India and Make In India initiatives, the Indian government is writing to several tech CEOs around the world in hopes of attracting technology investments in India. US, United Kingdom, Japan, Israel, South Korea, France, Canada, Sweden, Bhutan, Finland and the European Union have confirmed participation and will be sending delegations from native tech companies, as well as key representatives from their IT and Communications departments to attend and exhibit at the IMC. Wilbur Ross, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce is one of the many high-profile government officials who have confirmed their attendance for IMC, and we are told that for the first time, the US government has provide DoT and COAI with a list of companies that would be of interest to the organisers. These companies will be encouraged by the US government to participate in IMC once the list is reviewed by the DoT.

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