Indian government’s Sanchar Saathi app order: Why all eyes are on Apple

The telecom department has mandated all manufacturers and importers of mobile handsets to ensure that the Sanchar Saathi mobile app is pre-installed on all mobile handsets that are intended for use in India. As per an order dated November 28, the Ministry of Communications, said that all mobile handsets must have pre-installed Sanchar Saathi application readily visible and accessible to the end users at the time of first use or device setup, and that its functionalities are not disabled or restricted. The notice mandates completing the implementation within 90 days and submitting the report within 120 days.