Exclusive Interview with Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region

The telecom sector is serving as the backbone of India’s digital transformation. The telecom ministry, steered by Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, is working at a brisk pace to ensure that telecom connectivity reaches the length and breadth of the country, leaving no citizen behind in the digital era. The government is also undertaking several initiatives to facilitate digital innovation and next-generation technologies. In an exclusive interview with tele.net, Scindia talks about the government’s focus areas and priorities, and his future vision for the sector….

How would you assess the progress of the sector over the past 25 years?

Over the past 25 years, India’s telecom sector has witnessed extraordinary growth, transforming into the world’s second-largest telecom market with over 1.18 billion telephone subscribers. This phenomenal expansion itself speaks volumes about the sector’s progress from an era when digital connectivity seemed distant to becoming a cornerstone of India’s economic and technological advancement. As per the vision of our Prime Minister Narendra Modiji, telecom today has evolved into a digital highway, enabling innovations across various sectors. With an impressive teledensity of 84 per cent and 941 million broadband users, India now offers the world’s most affordable and cheapest data rates, making digital services accessible to all.

One of the most striking achievements is the fastest 5G roll-out in just 22 months, highlighting the nation’s technological prowess on the global stage. We have also observed a rapid evolution of data speeds – from an average of 1.5 Mbps per user to 20 Mbps in just a decade. India has already aligned its goals for future telecom technologies as laid down in the Bharat 6G vision, securing 10 per cent of global patents to shape next-generation technology standards.

I would also like to add that the past 25 years have not just been about progress — they have been about setting a bold vision for the future. The expansion and saturation of telecom services will be the backbone of Viksit Bharat 2047, driving India’s global leadership in digital innovation. With a strong foundation laid, the next 25 years promise even greater transformation, ensuring that India’s telecom sector remains at the forefront of technological evolution.

What are your views on the sector’s competitive landscape and financial stability? How do you see BSNL competing with private players?

India’s telecom sector thrives on competition and innovation, which are essential for maintaining high-quality standards and financial stability. While our international counterparts are dominated by just a single telecom giant or, at most, two, India stands out with four major players constituting the industry’s total revenue pie. It is also noteworthy that this includes a government enterprise, ensuring a fairly competitive landscape. Striking a balance between market-driven growth and consumer protection is crucial, and competition remains the driving force behind better services, affordable pricing and widespread connectivity.

Amidst this dynamic telecom environment, in my opinion, it is BSNL that emerges as a key player reshaping the competitive landscape. Our vision is clear – connecting every citizen with the highest standard of telecom services – and BSNL plays a pivotal role in this mission by serving the underserved and remote areas. The company has made remarkable progress. For the first time in 17 years, it has recorded a net profit of Rs 2.62 billion in Q3 2024 and added 5 million new subscribers, securing its position as a trusted telecom provider. BSNL’s strategy for staying competitive lies in its innovation and affordability. By launching seven new services, modernising its infrastructure and focusing on underserved regions where private players have limited reach, it is carving out a “sustainable niche”. I strongly believe that BSNL’s presence is not just about competition – it is about inclusive growth and bridging the digital divide for a truly connected India.

What are the ministry’s current focus areas and future targets?

Our immediate focus is on achieving 100 per cent saturation of existing schemes and ensuring connectivity across the length and breadth of the nation, leaving no citizen behind in the digital era. To make this a reality, we are in the process of deploying 100,000 indigenously developed BSNL towers, each one a beacon of high-speed 4G services, with a seamless upgrade path to 5G. These towers are equipped with 5G-upgradable technology, allowing BSNL to roll out 5G services without delay. Building upon our indigenous telecom stack, this technology can also lead us to become a telecom product nation. India has already become one of only five countries to have successfully developed its homegrown 4G core. By exporting this technology, we have set forth on our path to the vision of Make in India, Make for the World. Our future goals are ambitious and achievable.

Further setting our sights on the future, we are determined to seamlessly adopt 6G-enabled connectivity and innovation. Other important targets include providing 100 Mbps download speeds nationwide, reducing the average right-of-way application disposal time from 60 days to 30 days by 2030, and boosting rural internet subscribers per 100 people from 45 to 60 by 2030. Additionally, we aim to power 30 per cent of mobile towers with sustainable energy by 2030. These measures will drive India towards a greener, faster and more connected future.

Lastly, we remain committed to digital safety, addressing the misuse of telecom resources for cybercrime and financial frauds. The Sanchar Saathi portal and mobile application have been actively working to detect fraudulent calls, blocking over 13.5 million calls daily, already reducing the volume of spam calls and securing users across the nation.

What has been the progress in the manufacturing of telecom components, equipment and devices under Make in India?

As I mentioned before, the progress in the manufacturing of telecom components under Make in India is leading our country to become a telecom product nation. Our production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme has been central in boosting domestic manufacturing and attracting investments in the target segments of telecom and networking products. Since 2020, our annual sales of companies availing of benefits under the PLI scheme for telecom equipment have grown six times from Rs 48.61 billion to Rs 297.26 billion recorded in December 2024. The PLI scheme has also acted as a catalyst for increasing equipment exports, and is expected to contribute to the export of telecom equipment worth Rs 41.23 billion. To further accelerate India’s transformation into a global telecom manufacturing hub, we are developing self-sustaining telecom manufacturing zones (TMZs) – specialised industrial zones exclusively dedicated to the telecom sector. Much like special economic zones, these TMZs will provide world-class infrastructure, policy support and streamlined regulatory frameworks to foster domestic production, attract investments and boost exports for the telecom sector.

How do you see satcom as a medium to augment broadband coverage? What steps is the government taking in this regard?

Satcom is pivotal to our pursuit of universal broadband coverage, especially in remote and challenging terrain. India is a land of diverse landscapes and topology, where our communities are thriving in harmony with nature. In my opinion, reaching these areas is not just a challenge, it is an opportunity to ensure no one is left behind in our digital journey. Thus, to achieve 100 per cent connectivity, satcom is indispensable. Recognising this, India’s satellite broadband market is set to grow significantly, projected to reach $1.9 billion by 2030.

The Satellite Communication Reforms of 2022 have streamlined satellite-related clearance processes and introduced simplified guidelines for setting up satellite-based communication networks. Additionally, our space policies and reforms now encourage private sector participation, encouraging healthy competition with the ultimate goal of making satellite services more affordable and accessible. Even the Telecommunications Act of 2023 provides a clear framework for spectrum allocation for specific satellite-based applications, such as VSAT (very small aperture terminal) and GMPCS (global mobile personal communication by satellite).

What is your outlook for the sector? What, according to you, will be the key trends and drivers that will shape Indian telecom over the next few years?

My outlook for the telecom sector remains simple but ambitious: it will continue to be the driving force behind India’s digital economy while propelling its economic growth forward. The telecom sector is positioned to be the backbone of India’s digital transformation led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, enabling the country to grow at nearly double the rate of the overall economy. We had the fastest 5G roll-out and that has already laid the groundwork for universal adoption and the eventual transition to 6G technologies. But 5G is just the beginning; India’s 6G aspirations will keep the sector ahead of global trends, ensuring that we lead in next-generation technologies.

One of the most transformative forces at play is the synergy between fintech and telecom. This powerful combination has already reshaped how businesses operate and how consumers transact, bridging financial gaps and the digital divide. By progressing towards a digital-first nation, the demand for data will also surge. What has already grown at an exponential rate will see further leaps in consumption. This increase will require next-gen technology such as 6G to support the next wave of digital innovation. 6G will be revolutionary not just in terms of speed, but in ushering in a new era of hyperconnectivity. It will become the highway upon which smart cities, healthcare, education and agriculture can synthesise with AI and quantum to birth a digitally empowered India – one that is sustainable, inclusive and efficient.