New Delhi: Union Minister for Communications and Development of the North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya Scindia outlined India’s growing strength in the telecom sector, highlighting sharp export growth and rapid 5G expansion while responding to questions in the Lok Sabha.
Presenting official data, the Minister said India’s telecom exports have recorded a 72 per cent increase over the past five years, rising from Rs 10,000 crore in 2020-21 to Rs 18,406 crore in 2024-25.
During the same period, imports have remained largely unchanged at about Rs 51,000 crore, a trend he said reflects India’s progress towards self-reliance under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Scindia also detailed the country’s advances in 5G connectivity. Of the 778 districts nationwide, 767 are now covered by 5G networks. India currently has around 36 crore 5G users, a figure projected to touch 42 crore by 2026 and expand to nearly 100 crore by 2030.
On satellite communications, the Minister said SATCOM is essential for regions where traditional telecom infrastructure cannot reach. He noted that the policy framework is in place, with licences granted to Starlink, OneWeb and Reliance.
Commercial rollout will follow once spectrum pricing and security clearances are finalised, ensuring nationwide access to a complete range of telecom services.
