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Govt. of India issues advisory to ICEA & MAIT to ensure inclusion of FM radio receivers in all smartphones
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.
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Piyush Thakur steps down as Inshorts’ chief revenue officer
Former vice president and cro says exit marks a new chapter after close to a decade of building revenue and partnerships at Inshorts Group.
NOIDA: Piyush Thakur has stepped away from Inshorts Group after nearly 10 years with the company, marking the end of a long tenure that culminated in his role as chief revenue officer.
In a farewell note, Thakur said he was “turning a new page” after almost a decade at Inshorts, calling it one of the hardest professional decisions he has made. He added that his exit was not driven by uncertainty about the future, but by reflection on a long association with the company.
Thakur joined Inshorts in October 2016 as vice president and spent around seven years in the role before being elevated to chief revenue officer in April 2024, a position he held until April 2026.
He said his tenure was defined by “thousands of mornings, late nights, product debates and breakthrough moments”, as the company evolved into a large-scale digital news platform used by millions.
In his note, Thakur emphasised that Inshorts’ growth was a collective effort across teams, adding that engineers, designers, sales teams and customer support staff all contributed to building the platform. He said the company’s success was not the result of individuals but of “everyone who stayed, passed through, and left their mark”.
Before Inshorts, Thakur worked across several digital media and business development roles. At ESPN, he served as senior regional manager from October 2015 to October 2016, focusing on growth initiatives, strategic opportunities and video distribution.
At Times Internet, he worked for nearly three years, including as head of business development from April 2015 to September 2015 and chief manager from January 2013 to March 2015. His responsibilities included monetisation of mobile platforms, managing media and developer partnerships, and driving revenue across digital properties such as The Times of India and The Economic Times.
Earlier, he worked at Brandmovers as head of business development from June 2012 to June 2013, handling digital, mobile and social media marketing solutions, client development and strategic consulting. During this period, he also worked on advertising revenue, brand strategy and CRM-based solutions.
At Inshorts, Thakur’s role focused on revenue strategy, mobile and media partnerships, and growth initiatives across platforms. His profile highlights experience in mobile product management, digital business models, partner ecosystems and revenue expansion in high-growth environments.
