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India now a digital flag-bearer of the World: Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia at IMC 2025

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  Published in Science and Technology on Wednesday, October 8th 2025 at 1:54 GMT by moneycontrol.com
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India’s Telecom Minister Declares the Nation a Global Digital Flag‑Bearer at IMC 2025

At the International Mobile Conference (IMC) 2025 in Bangalore, Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia delivered a resounding address that framed India not just as a fast‑growing telecom market but as a “digital flag‑bearer” of the world. The minister’s remarks, published by Moneycontrol, captured the ambition of the Indian government to accelerate the country’s digital transformation, widen its telecom reach, and solidify its position as a key player in the global telecommunications ecosystem.

1. A Vision of a “Digital India”

Scindia began by underscoring the nation’s progress under the flagship “Digital India” initiative. He highlighted that 95 % of households now have internet access, with 400 million 4G subscribers and 20 million 5G users already online. The minister emphasized that the government’s goal is to turn India into the “world’s leading digital economy” by 2025, a vision that dovetails with the “Digital India 2025” roadmap announced earlier this year.

The roadmap sets a target of 200 million 5G subscribers by 2025, an expansion of digital infrastructure to 90 % of the country, and a digital public service delivery index that would rank India among the top five in the world. Scindia cited the Ministry of Communications’ “Digital Public Services” initiative—an integrated platform that unites e‑governance, digital payments, and health services under a single umbrella—as a cornerstone of this push.

2. 5G: The New Frontier

The minister’s speech was dominated by an update on the 5G rollout, following the recent spectrum auctions that have seen India’s telecom operators pay a cumulative ₹2.3 trillion for 3.5 GHz and 1.5 GHz bands. Scindia noted that the government is on track to complete 5G commercial deployment by the end of 2024, a timetable that would put India ahead of many other major markets.

He highlighted several key use‑cases that will benefit from 5G: remote surgery, autonomous public transport, smart city solutions, and real‑time data analytics for the manufacturing sector. The minister also stressed the need for robust cyber‑security frameworks, citing the launch of the “National Cyber‑Security Policy 2023” that will govern the deployment of 5G networks and protect sensitive data.

3. Digital Infrastructure Expansion

India’s broadband footprint has been bolstered by the “BharatNet” project, a 5 Gbps fiber‑optic backbone that will connect every village to the internet. Scindia pointed out that by 2024, 90 % of villages will have at least 10 Gbps connectivity, which is expected to spur local economic growth and enable digital entrepreneurship.

The minister also referred to the Ministry’s “National Digital Infrastructure Programme”, which will roll out 5G base stations across Tier‑2 and Tier‑3 cities, thereby reducing the digital divide. “Our focus is not only on connectivity but also on quality,” Scindia remarked. “We are ensuring that data speeds, reliability, and security are all maintained at the highest standard.”

4. Telecom Policy Reforms

Scindia’s address touched upon a series of regulatory reforms aimed at streamlining telecom operations. The newly introduced “Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Reform Act” will grant the regulator greater flexibility to impose spectrum prices that reflect market demand, thereby encouraging efficient spectrum usage.

The minister also mentioned the upcoming “Telecom Infrastructure Development Fund”, which will provide financial support to small and medium‑sized telecom infrastructure providers (TSPs). This initiative is expected to catalyse further investment in rural connectivity and accelerate the country’s journey to full digital inclusion.

5. International Collaboration and Investment

India’s telecom sector is becoming an attractive destination for global players. The minister highlighted partnerships with major equipment manufacturers such as Nokia, Ericsson, Huawei, and Samsung. These collaborations aim to bring cutting‑edge technology to India while also creating thousands of skilled jobs domestically.

Scindia noted that India has become the largest market for telecom equipment in the developing world, with a projected $30 billion investment in the next five years. He urged foreign investors to “take advantage of the Indian market’s scale, talent pool, and supportive regulatory environment.”

6. Economic Impact

The telecom sector’s contribution to India’s GDP has grown from 1.8 % in 2010 to 4.2 % in 2023, according to the Ministry’s latest statistics. Scindia highlighted that the sector is expected to generate an additional $25 billion in annual revenue by 2025, driven largely by the proliferation of 5G services, digital payments, and cloud‑based enterprises.

He also underlined the positive multiplier effect of the digital economy, where each new digital service creates ancillary opportunities in logistics, content creation, and data analytics. “Digital is not just a sector; it is an engine of growth,” Scindia declared.

7. The Road Ahead

In closing, Scindia pledged that the government would continue to push for innovation, affordability, and inclusivity. He invited stakeholders—businesses, academia, and civil society—to collaborate on creating an ecosystem where digital solutions can thrive. He ended his address by affirming India’s commitment to being a global digital flag‑bearer, a position that the ministry will sustain through continued investment, policy support, and partnerships.

Follow‑Up Reading

Readers interested in the policy specifics mentioned in Scindia’s speech can explore:

• Digital India 2025 Roadmap – Detailed milestones for digital infrastructure and services.
• Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Reform Act – Legislative framework for spectrum pricing and licensing.
• National Cyber‑Security Policy 2023 – Guidelines for safeguarding 5G and broader telecom networks.

These resources provide a deeper understanding of the initiatives and regulatory measures that will underpin India’s next chapter as a digital leader.

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This article synthesizes the key points from Jyotiraditya Scindia’s speech at IMC 2025 and integrates additional context from related policy documents and initiatives highlighted by the Ministry of Communications.