India aims for 100 crore 5G users by 2030, says Scindia at IMC 2026 theme launch

India has set an ambitious target of expanding 5G connectivity to 100 crore people by 2030, Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Wednesday, as he unveiled the theme for the 10th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026. The IMC 2026 will focus on artificial intelligence (AI)-driven telecom networks, digital public infrastructure (DPI), and next-generation connectivity.

Speaking at the launch of the IMC 2026 theme in New Delhi, Scindia said India has already connected nearly 50 crore people to 5G services in just two-and-a-half years through investments of around ₹4.5 lakh crore and the deployment of nearly five lakh telecom towers.

"Our target is to connect 100 crore people with 5G by 2030. We marched with the world on 5G, but on 6G, we must lead the world," the minister said, outlining the government's vision for India's telecom sector.

The 10th edition of India Mobile Congress, regarded as Asia's largest digital innovation platform, will be held from October 7 to 10 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, under the theme "Scale Without Boundaries." The event will spotlight AI-powered telecom networks, digital public infrastructure, satellite communications, next-generation connectivity, and emerging digital technologies.

Scindia said IMC has evolved into a global technology platform, reflecting India's growing stature in the digital ecosystem.

"It is no longer an India event. It is no longer a South Asian event. It is an international event," he said, adding that India's digital innovations, technologies, and ideas are increasingly finding acceptance across the world.

The minister said India's digital transformation has been built on two key principles—the democratisation of technology and Antyodaya, ensuring that technology reaches the last citizen.

"Technology is not an end in itself; it is a means to improve the quality of life of every citizen. When innovation reaches every individual, it becomes a force for inclusive growth," he said.

Highlighting India's telecom progress over the past decade, Scindia said the country now has 1.33 billion mobile subscribers, while average monthly data consumption has risen to around 27 GB per user, among the highest globally.

He also pointed to the dramatic fall in mobile data tariffs—from nearly ₹287 per GB a decade ago to around ₹8 per GB today—which has made digital connectivity affordable for millions of Indians.

Looking beyond 5G, the minister said India is positioning itself to play a leading role in the development of 6G technologies. He noted that multiple working groups have been constituted to contribute to global standard-setting bodies, with the aim of securing a significant share of essential patents in the next generation of wireless communications.

"We followed the world in 4G. We walked with the world in 5G. But in 6G, India should lead the world," Scindia said.

He also highlighted government initiatives aimed at strengthening the domestic telecom manufacturing ecosystem, including the rollout of the country's first Telecom Manufacturing Zone (TMZ) and schemes to promote indigenous telecom technologies, semiconductor manufacturing, and advanced digital infrastructure.

Scindia also mentioned India is increasingly becoming a global hub for digital innovation, with technologies such as the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), Aadhaar, DigiLocker, and other digital public infrastructure solutions being adopted or studied by countries around the world.

Calling IMC 2026 a landmark edition, the minister said the event will bring together governments, telecom operators, technology companies, startups, investors, and policymakers to showcase innovations that will shape the future of global connectivity.

"Scale without boundaries is not just the theme of IMC 2026. It reflects India's ambition to take its innovations beyond its borders and build technology that serves not only our citizens but the world," he added.