India Mobile Congress 2026: Starlink Awaits Final Approval, Jio Smart Shop and Ericsson India Exports

More than 150,000 participants, more than 500 partners, and more than 600 startups from more than 100 countries are taking part in the joint event organized by the Department of Telecommunications and COAI.

Technology presented during the first day of the event proves that significant advancements have been made by mobile firms, which are going beyond towers and spectrum to focus on AI, 6G, 5G, and indigenous technology.

In this regard, Reliance Group company Jio claims to transform small street vendors into technologically advanced retail stores through its "Smart Shop." Customers often visit their shops and leave, leaving the shopkeeper without an easy way to connect with them again.

With this system, shopkeepers can reach customers in their neighborhood by creating catalogs and posting on Instagram, using artificial intelligence and haptic solo, and can even invite people they see on platforms like JustDial to their shop.

Upon arrival at the shop, customers can connect to Wi-Fi by scanning a QR code. The shopkeeper also stays connected digitally. The dashboard displays when and which customer visited the outlet, how long they stayed, and whether it was a first-time visitor or a repeat visit.

On the first day of IMC-2026, Swedish telecom equipment manufacturer Ericsson announced that it will export its first Indian-made antenna to Europe. The company is excited that the rapid 5G deployment in India has opened up greater potential for 6G here.

Global companies are also impressed by the fact that 95% of India's population is covered by 5G bands. This will prove to be a significant contributor to the technology's reach.

Vodafone is showcasing a technology at IMC-2026 that allows AI to speak in the customer's preferred language, simplifying calls and everyday tasks and reducing the need to open apps. This technology will be particularly useful in the mining sector as it has the potential to make the entire process more secure and efficient.

Elon Musk's satellite communications company, Starlink, is ready to work with India. A senior company official said on Wednesday, October 7, that they expect to receive final approval from the central government soon to launch services.

At the India Mobile Congress 2026 in New Delhi, Starlink's Vice President of Business Operations, Lauren Dreyer, said that the company has tailored its Starlink operations specifically for India, keeping in mind Indian security requirements and other regulations. She added that Indian users' data will be stored within India.