India’s telecom sector is entering a new phase, shifting from rapid 5G expansion to long-term leadership in 6G, Artificial Intelligence, and quantum communication technologies.
Speaking at the COAI DIGICOM SUMMIT 2026, Minister of State for Communications Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar said this transformation has been driven by structural reforms, particularly the 2021 Telecom Reforms Packageand the Telecommunications Act, 2023, which replaced legacy telecom laws dating back nearly 140 years.
The sector recorded strong financial growth in FY25, with gross revenue rising by 10.7% to ₹3.72 lakh crore, supported by more than ₹2.4 lakh crore in FDI inflows. India’s 5G rollout has also been among the fastest globally, reaching 400 million subscribers and deploying 5.1 lakh base stations within just 22 months.
The next strategic focus is the Bharat 6G Vision, with emphasis on indigenous intellectual property, AI-led network management, and quantum communication systems. At the same time, the government continues to expand digital inclusion through BharatNet, which aims to connect 2.6 lakh Gram Panchayats, making it the world’s largest rural broadband project.
The Minister also flagged a major structural weakness: while global telecom companies invest 15–25% of revenue in R&D, Indian operators spend less than 1%, raising concerns about India remaining dependent on imported technology rather than becoming a global standard-setter in the next telecom cycle.
Key Performance Indicators (FY25 & Beyond)
Financial Growth: Sectoral revenue reached ₹3.72 lakh crore; FDI inflows hit ₹2.4 lakh crore (up to June 2025).
Indigenous Manufacturing: Under the PLI Scheme (₹12,195 crore outlay), cumulative sales exceeded ₹65,000 crore with exports over ₹12,000 crore.
5G Milestone: Rollout completed in 22 months with 5.1 lakh base stations and 400 million subscribers.
Citizen Protection: The ASTR system has disconnected 88 lakh fraudulent connections, while the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator prevented ₹2,300 crore in potential losses.
Rural Reach: BharatNet initiative to bridge the digital divide across 2.6 lakh Gram Panchayats.
R&D Investment: Current Indian industry spend is <1% of revenue, contrasted against the 15–25% global benchmark.
What is "ASTR" in Telecom Security?
ASTR (Artificial Intelligence and Facial Recognition powered Solution for Telecom SIM Subscriber Verification) is a home-grown AI tool used by the Department of Telecommunications to detect fraudulent SIM cards. In a country with over 1.2 billion subscribers, manually verifying every ID is impossible.
ASTR analyzes millions of subscriber photos and database records to identify "SIM clusters" where one person's photo is used to get hundreds of SIMs under different names (often for cybercrime). By identifying these patterns, the government can instantly block thousands of fake connections, as seen with the 88 lakh disconnections reported by the MoS.
Policy Relevance
Future-Ready Laws: The transition from the 140-year-old Telegraph Act to the Telecommunications Act, 2023 provides the legal clarity needed for AI-driven networks and satellite communication.
Global Manufacturing Hub Ambitions: The success of the PLI Scheme, with exports crossing ₹12,000 crore, positions India as a viable alternative to traditional global manufacturing bases for telecom gear.
Financial Inclusion: By connecting 2.6 lakh Gram Panchayats via BharatNet, the government is ensuring that high-speed "Digital Public Infrastructure" reaches the last mile, enabling rural e-commerce and telemedicine.
Combatting the "Scam-demic": The multi-layered strategy—comprising Chakshu, Sanchar Saathi, and the Digital Intelligence Platform—is critical for maintaining public trust in digital payments and preventing financial fraud.
Strategic Autonomy: The call for higher R&D spending is a push for India to own the Intellectual Property (IP) for 6G, ensuring that the country is a "standard-setter" rather than just a technology consumer.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: With Indian telecom operators spending less than 1% of revenue on R&D compared to the 15–25% global benchmark, how can the Department of Telecommunications create stronger incentives for indigenous innovation so that the Bharat 6G Vision is built on Indian patents rather than imported technologies?
Follow The Full News Here: MoS Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar Hails Telecom Sector Growth