Last Updated:
India boasts over 115 crore mobile users, placing it among the countries with the highest number of mobile subscribers globally.
Nearly three decades have passed since mobile phones were introduced in India, revolutionising the way we communicate. Before the advent of mobile technology, landline telephones were the only means of communication within households. Even after mobile phones made their debut, landlines continued to serve a significant purpose for many years. However, over time, mobile phones gradually replaced landlines, becoming the dominant form of communication.
But here’s a question that many might not know the answer to: Who made the first mobile call in India?
It was on July 31, 1995, when India witnessed its first-ever mobile call, marking a milestone in the country’s communication history. The pioneering call was made by Jyoti Basu, the then Chief Minister of West Bengal, to Sukh Ram, the Union Communications Minister at that time. This historic moment not only signified the beginning of mobile communication but also set the stage for the eventual mobile revolution.
Fast forward to today, and the landscape of communication has undergone a massive transformation. India now boasts over 115 crore mobile users, placing it among the countries with the highest number of mobile subscribers globally. In fact, India ranks second in the world, following China, in terms of smartphone users.
A significant catalyst in this transformation was the entry of Reliance Jio, led by Mukesh Ambani. Jio’s launch brought a paradigm shift in the telecom market, offering free calls and affordable data plans that made mobile services more accessible to the masses. This disruption in the market compelled other telecom operators to lower their rates, bringing down the cost of calls and mobile internet, making them far more affordable for crore of users.
Today, the mobile phone is no longer just a means of communication – it has become an essential tool for everything from education and business to entertainment and socialising.