The Indian Government reportedly wants smartphone makers to start making their phones compatible with the indigenous NavIC system within a few months with an aim to take over the widely-used GPS developed by the US. This move has worried OEMs like Xiaomi, Samsung, and more, though. Here are the details to know.
A report by Reuters reveals that the Indian Government wants smartphone brands to fully equip their phones with NavIC by January 23, 2023, which doesn’t appear plausible.
Plus, this would need test clearance, which again, won’t be possible by the said January 1 deadline. This could also delay the planned launches too and hence, a 2025 timeline has been suggested. Responding to this, MeitY (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology) has confirmed that no timeline has been fixed yet and this topic is still under discussion with the stakeholders.
A media report has claimed citing a meeting that mobile cos were asked to make smartphones compatible with NavIC within months. This is to clarify: (1) No timeline has been fixed. (2) The cited meeting was consultative; and (3) the issue is under discussion with all stakeholders.— Ministry of Electronics & IT (@GoI_MeitY) September 26, 2022
