New Delhi, Dec 17: India’s telecom exports have registered a sharp 72 per cent growth over the past five years, rising from ₹10,000 crore in 2020–21 to ₹18,406 crore in 2024–25, while imports have remained largely stable, Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
Presenting data on the sector’s performance, the minister said telecom imports have stayed capped at around ₹51,000 crore, reflecting India’s growing self-reliance in the telecom ecosystem. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is not only strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities but also positioning itself for global leadership in the telecom sector.
5G Expansion and Subscriber Growth
Responding to supplementary questions, Shri Scindia highlighted the rapid rollout of 5G services across the country. He said that 767 out of 778 districts have already been connected to the 5G network. India currently has 36 crore 5G subscribers, a number expected to increase to 42 crore by 2026 and reach 100 crore by 2030, he added.
SATCOM Policy and Nationwide Coverage
On satellite communications (SATCOM), the minister said global experience shows that regions which cannot be connected through conventional base transceiver stations, backhaul networks or optical fibre broadband can only be effectively served through satellite technology. He said India has taken a decisive step to ensure SATCOM services are made available across the length and breadth of the country.
The government’s objective, he noted, is to offer a complete bouquet of telecom services, enabling consumers to choose solutions that best suit their needs and affordability.
Licensing and Regulatory Framework
Shri Scindia said the SATCOM policy framework is firmly in place, with spectrum to be assigned administratively. Three licences have already been issued to Starlink, OneWeb and Reliance.
He added that two key issues need to be addressed before commercial SATCOM services can begin. The first relates to spectrum assignment and the determination of administrative spectrum charges, a matter currently under consideration by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The second concerns security clearances from enforcement agencies.
To facilitate the process, operators have been provided with sample spectrum for demonstrations and are currently completing compliance requirements. Once adherence to security norms—including hosting international gateways within India—is confirmed, approvals will be granted, paving the way for the rollout of SATCOM services, the minister said.
