Mumbai: In an advisory issued by the Government of India, the Indian Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) and the Manufacturers’ Association for Information Technology (MAIT), have been urged to ensure the inclusion of FM radio receivers in all smartphones.

The advisory was issued by the IT Ministry, which stated that the move would enable easy access to FM radio services during emergencies and disasters, in addition to providing radio services to the poor.

The advisory urged mobile phone manufacturers to keep the inbuilt FM radio receiver function enabled and activated on all smartphones that are equipped with it. Additionally, if a smartphone does not have an FM radio receiver function, manufacturers are advised to include it.

The IT ministry has noted a ‘drastic fall’ in mobile phones with FM tuners over the last few years, which has negatively impacted the government’s ability to disseminate real-time information during emergencies and disasters.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has also advocated the inclusion of radio in smartphones, citing the effectiveness of radio broadcasting in delivering early warnings and alerting the public during emergencies and disasters. The IT Ministry believes that FM-enabled smartphones can save precious lives and livelihoods, and prepare users to deal better with disasters by providing speedy, timely, and reliable communication.

The move is expected to benefit millions of people in India who rely on FM radio services for entertainment, news, and information, especially during times of crisis. It will also enable the government to reach out to people in remote areas during emergencies and disasters, where other forms of communication may not be accessible. The government has encouraged mobile phone manufacturers to comply with the advisory at the earliest to ensure the safety and security of the citizens of India.

The FICCI Frames EY report on Media & Entertainment for 2022 which was released in Mumbai at FICCI Frames 23 on 3 May, stated that radio segment revenues grew 29 per cent in 2022 to Rs 21 billion, but were still just 66 per cent of 2019 revenues.  Ad volumes increased by 25 per cent in 2022 as compared to the previous year, though ad rates remained 20 per cent below their 2019 levels.  Many radio companies are looking at alternate revenue streams to grow faster.