Dr Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development
The telecom sector serves as the gateway to Digital India. Dr Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, spoke about the emergence of telecom as a sunrise sector, the government’s role in supporting the evolving manufacturing landscape, next-generation connectivity and India’s efforts to become a leader in the telecom technology space. Edited excerpts from his recent addresses at the third edition of the Bharat 6G 2025 International Conference and Exhibition and Bharat Telecom 2025, held in New Delhi in May 2025…
The Indian telecom sector is accelerating its journey with focused energy, clarity of purpose and a strong resolve. The nation stands ready, not merely as a market or consumer but also as a creator, partner and trusted provider of world-class telecom solutions. India’s shift from a tele-technology consumer to a technology creator within a few years, approximately a decade, did not happen by chance.
This journey, which began a decade ago with the launch of the Digital India initiative by the government, has now evolved into a comprehensive digital ecosystem. This ecosystem connects citizens, empowers businesses and positions India prominently on the global stage. As part of this mission, several key initiatives have been undertaken.
Regulatory support for success
The production-linked incentive scheme for telecom and network products has catalysed domestic manufacturing hubs. This policy has attracted investments worth Rs 40 billion, generated sales of more than Rs 800 billion, and created substantial employment opportunities while building self-reliance in critical telecommunications equipment for India.
Support from the Telecom Technology Development Fund has further nurtured indigenous research, development and innovation, creating an ecosystem where Indian solutions address Indian challenges. It has helped in changing the narrative from “Made for India” to “Made by India.”
Under the Make in India initiative, the nation has developed significant domestic 4G and 5G equipment manufacturing capabilities. India has undergone a major shift from being a large importer of mobile phones around 2014 and 2015, when only approximately 60 million units were produced in the country against an import of around 210 million units. Fast forward to 2025, the total production now stands at over 330 million units, with only 3 million units being imported, while 50 million units are exported. Moreover, 50 per cent of the global iPhone output now comes from India.
Spectrum policies have evolved to ensure fair allocation, optimal utilisation and affordable access. India achieved one of the fastest 5G roll-outs globally, deploying more than 470,000 base transceiver stations across the country in just over two years. The 5G coverage has been expanded to over 80 per cent of the population, bringing high speed internet to previously underserved rural communities. India has established the lowest 5G data rates globally while maintaining quality service, democratising digital access for all citizens.
In addition, the Semiconductor Mission is transforming India into a global hub for electronic system design and manufacturing. The establishment of semiconductor fabrication facilities on Indian soil marks a watershed moment in our technological sovereignty.
All these remarkable achievements are not a mere coincidence. They are the direct outcome of visionary policies by the government, strategic governance by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), robust industry participation and the boundless aspirations of the nation. Therefore, the results speak for themselves. India now hosts over 850 million internet users and has the most affordable data rates in the world.
Meanwhile, Indian telecom equipment exports have quadrupled over the past few years, with a total value of Rs 1.5 trillion. The 5G ecosystem is thriving with India’s technology and solutions.
However, some challenges still exist. Spectrum limitation is an issue hindering exponential growth in data usage. As connectivity increases, security threats have also increased. Meanwhile, the current 5G networks consume significantly higher power, challenging the nation’s sustainability goals.
Moreover, though connectivity has reached 80 per cent of India’s rural population, 20 per cent still need to be reached. While better than 4G, current latency levels still limit real-time applications in fields like robotic surgery, autonomous vehicles and industrial automation.
6G technology leap
The world is moving towards 6G now. 6G does not merely present an incremental improvement but also a fundamental transformation in how everyone connects. It will utilise terahertz frequency bands, enabling data rates up to 1 tbps, which is 100 times faster than 5G.
6G networks will be highly intelligent. They will be self-optimising, self-healing and capable of predictive resource allocation through integrated artificial intelligence (AI). If developed properly, moving beyond surface networks, 6G will enable true three-dimensional connectivity, extending from underwater to aerospace, giving volumetric connectivity.
6G systems will incorporate ambient energy harvesting, potentially creating self-sustaining network nodes. The network itself will become a massive distributed sensor, creating new possibilities for environmental monitoring and public safety. Therefore, given these advantages, nations that develop 6G standards and intellectual property will shape the digital landscape for decades to come.
In India, 6G will create entirely new industries and revolutionise existing ones, potentially adding $1 trillion to India’s economy by 2035. Indigenous 6G development will also ensure that secure communications are developed within the country. By pioneering 6G, the country can transition from being a technology consumer to becoming a technology standards setter. Most importantly, India has one of the largest telecom markets in the world. All major private players have been established for almost 20 years. The country has open and accessible capital markets, and most of these companies are quite profitable. They have had ample time to build their ecosystems, have a vast talent pool and mature operations. So, there is no reason for India not to lead in 6G.
Despite all this success, 6G has its own challenges, predominantly the technical complexity of terahertz communications and AI integration. It needs to be ensured that the cost of deployment does not become so high that rural communities are left behind.
India has missed leadership opportunities in previous-generation technologies like 2G, 3G and 4G, when it was a technology adopter. With 5G, India became a fast follower. But with 6G, the nation has the greatest opportunity, indeed, a responsibility, especially for South-South cooperation and geopolitical security.
Bharat 6G Mission
The government unveiled the Bharat 6G Mission on March 23, 2023, a clarion call for India to lead the design, development and deployment of 6G technologies by 2030. The Bharat 6G Mission has already made significant strides by bringing together academic institutions, industry leaders and research organisations. Over 111 research projects have been funded with a sanctioned amount of Rs 3 billion. India now ranks among the top six nations globally in 6G patent filings.
India’s IIT 6G testbed has successfully demonstrated several breakthrough technologies in quantum communications and AI-native networking. Furthermore, the country has signed 6G research cooperation agreements with Japan, Singapore and Finland, creating valuable knowledge-sharing pathways. India’s regulatory framework is being aligned with international best practices, including the International Telecommunication Union and the 3rd Generation Partnership Project.
The way forward
India aims to achieve sub-millisecond latency, making truly real-time applications work across distances. DoT is already working on comprehensive spectrum planning for terahertz bands critical for 6G. Work is also under way on recyclable, energy-efficient chipsets developed by India’s innovative talent.
Today, the nation stands at the threshold of another technological revolution that will shape humanity’s future. As India continues its journey towards becoming a global technology leader, the path forward with 6G technology will define the nation’s prosperity for decades to come. The mission needs to be transformative and bring all the stake holders together.
The future of 6G is in the hands of young innovators. Their ideas, creativity and passion will shape a connected India that leads the world. A commitment is needed from all stakeholders to make Bharat 6G not just a technology initiative but also a national mission, one that will secure India’s place as a world leader in the coming technological era. Together, India will build a 6G ecosystem that is made in India, but made for the world, secured by design and transformative in impact.
Moreover, Indian technology represents trust in action – offering solutions that are deployable, affordable and ready for the world. The agility and innovation of Indian start-ups and micro, small and medium enterprises are at the heart of this transformation. The Indian government stands firmly with them, not just as a regulator but also as an enabler and proud supporter. India’s telecom journey is no longer about cash income; it is about setting the pace with trust, talent and technology at its core.
The achievements are not just statistics. They represent transformed lives, empowered citizens and a nation confidently stepping into the digital future. And it will not stop here. The next phase of the journey will focus on fostering 6G leadership through the Bharat 6G Vision initiative, expanding satellite broadband to reach
every underserved area, developing quantum communication networks for unparalleled security, establishing India as a global AI and semiconductor powerhouse, and building a sustainable telecom ecosystem.
