Know about India's first mobile phone and network

Which Was the First Mobile Phone of India?

The story of the first mobile phone in India marks a significant milestone in the country’s technological and communication evolution. On July 31, 1995, India took its first step into the world of mobile telephony when a call was made from Kolkata (then Calcutta). This moment marked the beginning of a communication revolution that would transform every aspect of Indian society — from business to social relationships, rural access to digital services, and beyond.

The First Call in India: A Historic Moment

The first mobile phone call in India was made by Jyoti Basu, the then Chief Minister of West Bengal, to Sukh Ram, the Union Minister for Communications. The call took place over a Modi Telstra network — a joint venture between Modi Group of India and Telstra of Australia. This network was branded as MobileNet, and the technology used was based on the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) standard.

The device used for this historic call was a MobileNet Motorola handset, making Motorola the first mobile phone brand to operate officially in India.

The First Mobile Phone in India: Motorola Handsets

Motorola was the first brand to introduce mobile phones in India in collaboration with Modi Telstra. The most iconic handset at the time was the Motorola International 3200, which resembled a large brick with an antenna. It was bulky by today’s standards but revolutionary at the time, representing a new era of communication mobility.

These early devices were primarily used by business executives and government officials due to their high cost. In 1995, the price of a mobile phone handset was around ₹30,000, while call charges were nearly ₹16 per minute — ₹8 for incoming and ₹8 for outgoing. Owning a mobile phone was considered a status symbol.

Modi Telstra: India’s First Mobile Network

Modi Telstra was India’s first mobile service provider, operating under the brand name MobileNet. The company started its service in Kolkata, which was chosen as the first city for its launch. The GSM technology used by MobileNet was cutting-edge at the time and offered better voice clarity, security, and international roaming capabilities compared to the analog systems used in some other countries.

Though Modi Telstra eventually exited the telecom market, it laid the foundation for India’s mobile revolution.

Evolution After the First Call

After 1995, the mobile phone market in India began to grow steadily. Several other telecom operators, such as Bharti Airtel, Reliance Communications, BSNL, and Vodafone, entered the market. By the early 2000s, mobile phones had become more affordable, thanks to increased competition and advancements in technology.

The telecom sector witnessed a major boom in the mid-2000s with the advent of prepaid services, SMS (Short Message Service), and cheaper Chinese-made handsets. India went from having a few thousand mobile subscribers in 1995 to over 1 billion mobile connections by 2020.

The Significance of the First Mobile Phone

The introduction of the mobile phone in India brought about a sea change in communication patterns. It bridged geographical barriers and allowed instant connectivity,

It also helped boost several industries, including e-commerce, fintech, transportation, and healthcare. The growth of mobile technology paved the way for the digital economy in India, which today includes online banking, mobile payments (like UPI), telemedicine, online education, and much more.

Challenges During the Early Days

When mobile phones first arrived in India, several challenges hindered their widespread adoption:

1. High Cost: Mobile phones and services were expensive, making them inaccessible to the average Indian.

2. Limited Coverage: The initial network coverage was limited to a few urban areas.

3. Lack of Awareness: People were unfamiliar with the technology, leading to slow adoption.

4. Import Dependency: Most mobile handsets had to be imported, increasing costs and delays.

Despite these hurdles, India's mobile sector grew rapidly due to liberalization policies, increasing foreign investments, and local entrepreneurship.

Legacy of India’s First Mobile Phone

The Motorola handset that made the first call in India now serves as a nostalgic reminder of how far the country has come in terms of technology. From that first mobile call in 1995 to today’s smartphones with 5G connectivity, artificial intelligence, and powerful computing capabilities,

Today, India is one of the largest mobile markets in the world and home to leading smartphone manufacturers like Xiaomi, Samsung, Vivo, and Indian brands like Lava and Micromax. Mobile phones are now an essential tool for everyday life in urban and rural India alike.

Conclusion

The first mobile phone call in India on July 31, 1995, using a Motorola handset on the Modi Telstra network, was more than just a technological event — it was the beginning of a new era.

India’s journey with mobile technology is a testament to how innovation, affordability, and accessibility can change the fabric of a nation. What started with a single phone call has grown into a multi-trillion-rupee industry that connects over a billion people every day.