India eyes 1 billion 5G users by 2030

India is aiming to connect 1 billion people to 5G by 2030, after bringing nearly 500 million users onto the network in just two-and-a-half years, Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Wednesday as he unveiled the theme for the 10th edition of India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026.Speaking at the theme launch of Asia's largest digital technology event, Scindia also announced that India's first Telecom Manufacturing Zone (TMZ) will be set up in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, to create a dedicated manufacturing ecosystem for telecom equipment, semiconductor companies and data centres.The minister launched "Scale without boundaries" as the theme for IMC 2026, scheduled to be held from October 7 to 10 at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi.

The theme reflects India's ambition to scale homegrown technologies and digital infrastructure globally."India's journey in telecom has moved from connecting the next billion to enabling the next billion possibilities," Scindia said, adding that India is increasingly becoming a country that designs, develops and scales technology for the world.According to PTI, Scindia said India has invested around ₹4.5 lakh crore in rolling out 5G infrastructure, with nearly 500,000 telecom towers deployed in a record two-and-a-half years.

He added that the government's next focus will be on advancing 6G through the Bharat 6G Alliance while strengthening domestic telecom manufacturing.Organised by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), IMC 2026 will focus on four pillars—Srishti, Suraksha, Sashakt and Samvardhan—covering innovation, digital trust, inclusion and economic growth.The event will showcase developments across 5G, 6G, artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, satellite communications, quantum technologies, cloud computing, cybersecurity and electronics manufacturing, while also hosting the ASPIRE startup programme for emerging technology companies.Minister of State for Communications Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani said the government's focus is now on expanding broadband connectivity through BharatNet and 5G Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), while working towards making "the last decade of Digital India the next decade of Intelligent India", according to PTI.The previous edition of IMC attracted more than 140,000 visitors, 860 exhibitors from 101 countries, showcased 1,500 technology use cases and featured 465 startups.

This year's edition is expected to draw over 150,000 attendees and participants from more than 100 countries. ...