#Exclusive:
Indian govt is pushing smartphone makers to make their devices compatible with a homegrown alternative for GPS navigation system.
Govt wants mandatory support for its GPS-rival NavIC in ALL smartphones sold from Jan. 2023.
Why is this a big move?โคต๏ธ
Indian govt is pushing smartphone makers to make their devices compatible with a homegrown alternative for GPS navigation system.
Govt wants mandatory support for its GPS-rival NavIC in ALL smartphones sold from Jan. 2023.
Why is this a big move?โคต๏ธ
Holding the keys to navigation data, which powers everything from Google Maps to weapons targeting, is crucial to nation states.
NavIC however has seen minimal adoption. A law that enforce it on smartphones would change the game. For starters, India is world's no.2 mobile market
NavIC however has seen minimal adoption. A law that enforce it on smartphones would change the game. For starters, India is world's no.2 mobile market
But its easier said than done.
In private meetings in Aug and Sept, Samsung, Xiaomi, and Apple pushed back saying the devices would require complex hardware changes to make it happen.
Industry is seeking extension till January 2025, citing cost and supply chain challenges.
In private meetings in Aug and Sept, Samsung, Xiaomi, and Apple pushed back saying the devices would require complex hardware changes to make it happen.
Industry is seeking extension till January 2025, citing cost and supply chain challenges.
India though would not be the first country to push smartphone makers to add support for a native navigation system.
Years ago, Russia has sought to mandate inclusion of its own system GLONASS in smartphones sold locally to reduce reliance on GPS.
Years ago, Russia has sought to mandate inclusion of its own system GLONASS in smartphones sold locally to reduce reliance on GPS.
A key concern for players like Samsung and Xiaomi remains higher costs of chipsets and other components they would need to support NavIC in India, as these companies are leaders in the sub-$200 category in India's price-sensitive market.
@adityakalra and I stitched together this report by reviewing official documents and by speaking to govt and industry sources.
It's an 8-min read that deep dives into the implications of India's move and why tech giants are spooked:
reuters.com
It's an 8-min read that deep dives into the implications of India's move and why tech giants are spooked:
reuters.com
In a separate report, we also explain what NavIC is, why India wants smartphone makers to adopt it and how the system compares to rival navigation systems from the likes of US, China, and Russia.
reuters.com
reuters.com
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