Samsung may be forced to bring FM Radio to its phones in India

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FM radio is no longer found on smartphones these days. You may find them on budget or entry-level phones, but the premium ones usually skip them, just like the 3.5mm audio jack. Well, there is some good news, at least for Indian smartphone consumers. The Indian IT Ministry has issued an advisory that states mobile phone makers must ensure that FM radio is available on all smartphones.

The advisory states that all smartphones that are to be sold in India should mandatorily have the FM radio enabled by default. With this move, the Indian government aims to bridge the digital divide and make radio services accessible to people residing in rural and remote areas. Moreover, FM radio, being a low-cost and reliable mode of communication, can be helpful in making emergency announcements.

Brands like Samsung will have to include FM radio to sell their phones in India

According to the report, the advisory was issued by the Indian government to the Indian Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) along with the Manufacturers’ Association for Information Technology (MAIT). The IT ministry has advised that the FM radio feature should not be disabled on smartphones if it is inbuilt. Also, if a smartphone doesn't come with an FM radio feature, manufacturers have to include it on such devices.

The advisory also cites the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which has suggested enabling mobile phone radio. This will help the lower-income population in the country get access to free entertainment as well as real-time emergency information or government announcements. So, get ready to welcome back FM radio on your Samsung and other phones.