All Smartphones Should Have Easy Access To FM Radio. Read Govt's Advisory That Says The Feature Can't Be Disabled

All smartphones in the country should have easy access to FM radio, the central government has issued an advisory, media reports say.

All smartphones in the country should have easy access to FM radio, the central government has issued an advisory, media reports say. The IT ministry issued the advisory and sent it to the Indian Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) and the Manufacturers' Association for Information Technology (MAIT). 

According to the IT Ministry, FM radio is an affordable and reliable mode of communication. The ministry also noted that there has been a "drastic decline" in the number of mobile phones with FM tuner feature. FM radio is not of cheap, but also a reliable source for the government to disseminate information during times of emergency and disaster, reports added.

The advisory by the IT Ministry sent to ICEA and MAIT further added that the FM radio function or feature should not be disabled if it is in-built into mobile phones. Also, if the FM tuner is not included in mobile phones, the handset OEM should include it in the device.

"... it should be ensured that wherever the mobile phone is equipped with an inbuilt FM Radio receiver function or feature, that function or feature is not disabled or deactivated but is kept enabled/activated in the mobile phone. Further, it is advised that if the FM Radio receiver function or featre is not available in the mobile phones, it may be included," the advisory issued by the IT ministry said.

The fall in the number of phones with FM tuner has impacted the lower-income population who rely on free FM radio services and it is also a roadblock for the government when it comes to sending real-time information during times of disasters and calamities, says a report by Times of India.