Mobiles makers get 2-mth more for panic button

TIL Desk Business/New Delhi/ The government has extended the deadline by two months for mobile phone manufacturers to implement the panic button feature in new handsets.

“On the request of mobile device manufacturers, we have extended the period for implementing panic button in new handsets by two months … the players had made a request saying they have unsold inventory of mobile phones without the panic button … so we have given them an extension till February 28,” Telecom Secretary J S Deepak told.

The government in April 2016 mandated that all mobile phones in the country from January 1, 2017, will be sold with panic button feature. As per the order, pressing panic button will make a call to single emergency number 112.

“The mobile phone makers have taken up task to enable more than 2 crore phones every month with panic button very seriously. Industry is completely ready. There is minor aberration because of demonetisation which will be corrected in next 1-2 months,” industry body ICA National President Pankaj Mohindroo said.