Archive · 8 Oct 2026
India Targets One Billion 5G Users by 2030, Scindia Says
India's communications minister says the country wants to have one billion people using 5G by 2030.
He said 550 million people use 5G now.
He also said India wants to become a world leader in 6G.
A group working on 6G includes 90 institutions and has established thousands of patents.
India has also been chosen to host an international telecommunications conference in 2030.
Scindia said the number of broadband customers has grown greatly.
He said a government programme will help bring internet connections to villages and local councils.
He also said India's mobile phone industry is much larger than it was in 2014.
Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said India aims to grow its 5G user base from 550 million to one billion by 2030.
Scindia said India intends to lead globally in 6G, and the Bharat 6G Alliance includes 90 institutions and has established 7,700 patents.
The International Telecommunication Union Council accepted India's proposal to host its Plenipotentiary Conference in 2030.
Scindia said broadband customers grew from 60 million to more than 1.1 billion, while mobile customers reached 1.35 billion.
The government-funded BharatNet programme is intended to provide middle-mile connectivity to nearly 2.6 lakh gram panchayats and on-demand connectivity to 3.8 lakh remaining villages.
- Who
- Union communications minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.
- What
- He outlined India's 5G adoption target, 6G ambitions, telecom growth and connectivity plans.
- When
- Thursday, at the inauguration of the 10th India Mobile Congress in 2026; the 5G target is for 2030.
- Where
- At the India Mobile Congress in New Delhi.
- Why
- To expand 5G use, pursue global leadership in 6G and extend connectivity.
India’s telecom progress
Targets and planned expansion
5G adoption
India’s telecom progress
Scindia said India’s 5G service has become the fastest-adopted 5G technology in the world, with 550 million users.
Targets and planned expansion
He said the country should not stop there and set a target of one billion 5G users by 2030.
6G position
India’s telecom progress
Scindia described India as having moved from being behind the world in 4G to moving alongside it in 5G.
Targets and planned expansion
He said India is resolved to lead the world in 6G.
- Current 5G users
- 550 million
- 5G target by 2030
- 1 billion users
- Bharat 6G Alliance
- 90 institutions; 7,700 patents, including 4,400 international patents
- ITU conference
- The ITU Council accepted India's proposal to host the Plenipotentiary Conference in 2030.
- Broadband customers
- More than 1.1 billion, up from 60 million
- Mobile customers
- 1.35 billion
- BharatNet funding
- $15 billion
- Mobile phone industry
- Scindia said it grew from about $2–3 billion in 2014 to $63 billion.