Technology

Engineering Access: Amar Rao on Bringing 4G/5G to Feature Phones

Quest Global
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In this featured episode of India Means Innovation by NASSCOM, Amar Rao, Engineering Technical Manager at Quest Global, shares how we have helped deliver 4G/5G services on ultra-low-cost feature phones, costing under $15. This initiative, developed in collaboration with a major telecom provider, is a standout example of frugal engineering applied at scale.

With Quest Global’s end-to-end product engineering support, over 50 million users now have access to digital payments, audio/video streaming, and instant messaging, all on devices that were once considered too basic for such functionality. The effort included reworking platform code, ensuring multi-device compatibility, and building user-friendly interfaces in local languages. More than a technical milestone, this project demonstrates how grassroots innovation can bridge the digital divide, transform lives, and create scalable models for global impact.

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Anticipating the Future
Quest Global

Quest Global