MeitY to notify phone makers to support a 3rd regional language from July’17

Despite the opposition from phone companies and the Indian Cellular Association, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has decided to notify phone companies to support a third regional language along with Hindi and English.

According to an Economic Times report, MeitY could mandate the new standard with effect from July 1, 2017. “Although there is expected to be an increase of 10 percent in the cost of the phone and there would be certain challenges in developing requisite testing facilities, it is suggested that we may mandate the standard with effect from July 1, 2017, as proposed,“ an official told ET.

Apparently, phone manufacturers aren’t happy with the move. The companies believe that move would be hard to implement especially in the case of feature phones because inventory and logistics are planned globally by these companies and they will have to be customized for India ­for each of its states due to the new standard.

Also, the RAM capacity of the phone will have to go up to support local language and several design changes will have to be made. NITI Aayog has advised the ministry to revisit the decision as it may result in increasing the cost of the phone for the citizens.

Despite these challenges and doubts, the ministry’s move is in line with Digital India mission as vernacular language support will help further penetration of mobile phones in rural areas.