India Launches 2025 Telecom Policy for 5G, Make in India Push

• Universal 4G and 90% 5G access, with expanded broadband and Wi-Fi coverage
• Increased domestic telecom manufacturing, R&D labs, and secure networks
• Reduced carbon footprint, greater exports, and stronger global presence

The Government of India has presented the National Telecom Policy 2025 (NTP-25), a bold plan for putting India firmly in control of the telecommunications future, with its vision of an inclusive, affordable, and secure digital future for a global telecom leader.

The policy has six missions that will guide the Digital India. NTP-25 takes into account an ambitious view of clearly set goals through 2030. NTP-25 will build our digital future for bridging the digital divide using new technologies like 5G, 6G, artificial intelligence, quantum communication technologies, satellite networks, and blockchain technology.

It will double the telecom sector contribution on GDP and generate a million additional jobs by 2030. Key objectives aimed for will achieve coverage of 4G, access to populations of 90% of 5G, provide ten crore fixed broadband household connections, and rollout of one million public Wi-Fi hotspots.

To promote domestic innovation and manufacturing, the policy establishes targets of a 150% increase in domestic telecom production, 50% imports substitution, and 30 R&D labs in addition to an Indian Institute of Telecom Technology.

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Security is a key element of NTP-25, which intends to implement quantum resistant networks, provide biometric-based user verification, and incorporate AI-based cyber threat detection. The NTP-25 even proposes a national SafeNet infrastructure to secure critical telecom systems.

The policy also recommends deregulation to reduce compliance burden, support infrastructure sharing, and improve ease of doing business. The NTP-25 sees these reforms as benefiting service quality and facilitating greater investment.

As part of its sustainability commitments, NTP-25 aims for a 30% reduction in carbon particularly across the telecom sector, higher usage of renewable energy across 30% of telecom towers, and further supports e-waste and circular economy practices.

At the international level, the policy is designed to enhance India's position as a major player in global telecom standards and global export market, changing India's status from consumer to trusted global technology provider.