The Journey of Mobile Telephony in India: From the First Call to the First Phone
The history of mobile telephony in India is marked by significant milestones, one of the earliest being the first mobile phone call made in the country. This article delves into the origins and progression of mobile telephony in India, highlighting key events and the first-hand devices used by pioneers.
The First Call in India
The journey of mobile telephony in India began on July 31, 1995, with a historic call made by then Union Telecom Minister Sukh Ram to the then Chief Minister of West Bengal, Jyoti Basu. This call was made using a Nokia 2110 handset, marking a new era of communication in India. The Nokia 2110, released in 1992, was one of the first mobile handsets available in the market and featured a flip design and basic functionalities.
The First Mobile Phone in India
While the first call in India is historically significant, the first mobile phone itself was launched by Motorola in 1985. The Motorola DynaTAC 800, one of the earliest handheld mobile phones, made its debut several years before the first call was made in India. However, it is not widely recognized in India due to its relatively late introduction and high cost.
The Motorola DynaTAC 800 was a prototype that weighed around 800 grams and could be carried in a leather briefcase. This bulky device was priced at around Rs 96,000 in today's money, making it unaffordable for the average Indian at the time. For context, the inflation adjustment to the 1995 price would be Rs 11,700 in then-day currency. Despite its size and cost, it was an important milestone in the transition to mobile telephony globally.
First Mobile Phone Service in India
The first mobile phone service in India was launched on January 1, 1987, by Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) in Delhi. MTNL, a state-owned telecommunications company, marked the beginning of mobile telephony in the country. However, it wasn't until July 31, 1995, that the first mobile call was made, about 11 years later.
It is important to note that this first service launch was not the first phone itself. The first phones were commercially available globally much earlier, with the Motorola DynaTAC 800 being introduced in 1984. Nevertheless, the launch of the first service in India by Modis Telecom (now Vodafone-Idea) set the stage for subsequent companies like BPL Hutchison Max (now Vodafone Idea), Bharti Airtel (now Bharti Global), and others to enter the market and further expand mobile telephony.
Key Milestones
January 1, 1987: MTNL launched the first mobile phone service in India.
July 31, 1995: The first mobile call in India was made by Union Telecom Minister Sukh Ram to West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu using a Nokia 2110 handset.
1984: Motorola launched the Motorola DynaTAC 800, a groundbreaking device in mobile communications.
1995: Vodafone-Idea (formerly Modis Telecom) launched the first mobile phone service in India, paving the way for other players.
The journey of mobile telephony in India continues to evolve, with millions of Indians now having access to advanced mobile services. From the early days of the Nokia 2110 to the current era of 5G, the story of mobile telephony in India is one of innovation and transformation.