ISRO recently developed NavIC, Navigation with the Indian Constellation and Apple’s latest iPhone 15 series already support it. It also marks Apple’s first Made-in-India GPS integration in its devices.
The Indian government now intends to enforce NavIC integration in 5G smartphones mandatorily. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the Minister of State for Electronics and IT, conveyed this to the media.
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Chandrasekhar outlined the requirements for 5G phones in India, emphasising that they must either offer support for NavIC-powered chips or employ NavIC chipsets. These guidelines have two key deadlines: by January 1, 2025, 5G phones must include mandatory NavIC support, while all other phones currently using GPS in the L1 band must do the same by December 2025.
Furthermore, the government intends to extend NavIC support to navigation systems in mobile phones, 5G devices, and vehicles. Presently, NavIC comprises seven orbiting satellites, with ISRO planning to expand this constellation to 12 in the near future.
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However, concerns have emerged among device manufacturers regarding potential cost increases associated with NavIC integration. The government aims to incentivize brands to incorporate NavIC, though specific details remain undisclosed.
Chandrasekhar clarified that making NavIC mandatory doesn’t imply exclusivity; other navigation systems can coexist.
“This doesn’t mean that NavIC will be mandated as the sole navigation system that can be used by device-makers, whether they are mobile phone makers or automobile companies,” Minister of State for Electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar said. He emphasised that cost and performance competitiveness play a vital role, and Apple’s recognition of NavIC as a competitive GPS solution validates its importance in the global digital ecosystem.
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