India targets 1B 5G users by 2030, up from 550M: Scindia at IMC 2026
The minister said the ITU (International Telecommunication Union) Council has accepted India's proposal to host the Plenipotentiary Conference in 2030.
Indian Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has announced ambitious targets for the country's 5G and 6G industries. By 2030, India aims to increase its 5G user base from the current 550 million to one billion, a significant leap from the 4G era when it lagged globally. Scindia emphasized the nation's commitment to leading the world in 6G technology, highlighting that India's 5G adoption has been the swiftest in the world so far.
During the inauguration of the 10th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026, Scindia unveiled the country's progress. Over one billion mobile customers now access data, a stark contrast to 60 million broadband users back in 2017. The cost of data has plummeted from Rs 268 in 2014 to just Rs 8, making India the cheapest in the world.
Scindia also unveiled India's dedication to 6G, noting that the Bharat 6G Alliance, composed of 90 institutions, has secured 7,700 patents, with 4,400 of them international. India was behind in 4G but has now become a leader in 5G, setting its sights on 6G leadership.
The ITU Council has approved India's proposal to host the Plenipotentiary Conference in 2030, marking a first for the ITU's World Telecommunication Standardisation Assembly (WTSA) to be held in India. Scindia highlighted that the country's telecom landscape has transformed dramatically since the first IMC in September 2017, with broadband users soaring from 60 million to over 1.1 billion, and mobile customers reaching 1.35 billion.
In terms of digital infrastructure, UPI accounts for 84% of digital transactions in India, processing an astounding 260 billion transactions valued at $3.4 trillion annually. Scindia pointed out that 49% of the world's digital transactions originate in India. The $15 billion BharatNet programme aims to provide middle-mile connectivity to 2.6 lakh gram panchayats and on-demand connectivity to the remaining 3.8 lakh villages, ensuring a 100 Mbps connection for every household.
Lastly, India has emerged as the world's second-largest producer of mobile phones, with the industry's value soaring to about $63 billion, and exports amounting to nearly $29 billion.
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