Tech
From 2G Struggles To 5G Nation: Key Takeaways From PM Modi's Address At India Mobile Congress 2025 In Delhi
PM Modi at IMC 2025
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (8 October) inaugurated the 9th edition of India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 at Yashobhoomi, Delhi, positioning the event as a marquee platform for India’s technological ambitions and global digital leadership.
Addressing the gathering, he lauded the role of Indian startups, talent, and policy reforms.
Welcoming guests, students, and industry leaders, he said IMC has evolved from a telecom event into Asia’s largest digital technology forum — reflecting India’s transformation into a hub of advanced innovation.
He also underlined the government’s push for self-reliance in telecom, through indigenous stacks, legal overhauls, and infrastructure scale-ups.
Key takeaways from PM Modi's speech at IMC 2025:
Empowering Startups and Innovators
PM jModi began by appreciating startup presentations on financial fraud prevention, quantum communication, 6G, optical and semiconductor technologies.
He said these efforts reflect India’s “technological future in capable hands.”
He highlighted how the IMC success story was written by India’s tech-savvy mindset and driven by youth, innovators, and startups — while the government stood firmly behind them.
Through initiatives such as the Telecom Technology Development Fund and Digital Communications Innovation Square, the government is funding testbeds for emerging technologies like 5G, 6G, terahertz and optical communications.
He said these efforts are fostering partnerships between startups and premier research institutions, building indigenous technologies, and creating intellectual property through R&D.
From 2G Struggles to 5G Reach
The Prime Minister recalled how critics once mocked the “Make in India” vision.
“Those who lived in doubt once asked how India could build advanced technologies,” he said.
“The country that once struggled with 2G now has 5G in almost every district," PM Modi added.
India’s electronics production has risen six times since 2014, mobile manufacturing twenty-eight times, and exports one hundred twenty-seven times.
The sector, he noted, has created lakhs of direct jobs — with just one major smartphone company’s Indian supply chain generating 3.5 lakh jobs across 45 domestic firms.
Made-in-India 4G Stack: A Global Breakthrough
Modi termed the launch of India’s Made-in-India 4G stack a few days back a “major indigenous milestone,” making India one of only five nations with this capability.
On the same day, nearly one lakh 4G towers were activated, connecting over two crore people — many in remote regions previously left out of the digital grid.
He emphasised that the 4G stack is export-ready, marking a leap toward technological independence and serving as a foundation for the India 6G Vision 2030.
New Legal Foundation for a New Digital Era
The Prime Minister said India’s rapid tech revolution demanded a modern legal framework.
The newly enacted Telecommunications Act replaces the Indian Telegraph Act and Wireless Telegraph Act — laws older than most citizens alive today.
He explained that the new law functions as a facilitator rather than a regulator, making approvals easier, accelerating Right-of-Way permissions, and boosting the expansion of fibre and tower networks.
Cybersecurity and Accountability
Underscoring the government’s focus on cyber safety, Modi said laws have been strengthened against online fraud and accountability enhanced through better grievance redressal mechanisms — benefitting both consumers and the industry.
Digital Connectivity: A Way of Life
The Prime Minister underlined how India’s telecom growth has democratised digital access.
“Today, one GB of data in India costs less than a cup of tea,” he remarked, adding that per-user data consumption ranks among the world’s highest.
Digital connectivity, he said, is no longer a luxury but an integral part of every Indian’s life.
Youth Power and Global Recognition
Modi highlighted that the world now recognizes India’s potential — home to the second-largest telecom and 5G markets and the fastest-growing developer population.
India’s youth, he said, possess both scale and skill, making the nation uniquely positioned in the global digital economy.
Startups and Established Players: Shared Responsibility
Praising the IMC for hosting over 500 startups, he said the event connects young innovators with global mentors and investors.
Modi stressed that India’s strength lies in the speed of startups and the scale of established players, whose research and development capabilities provide direction and stability to the economy.
Reforms, Investment, and Innovation
He reminded the audience of his Independence Day pledge for a “year of big reforms.”
As India accelerates its transformation, the Prime Minister said this is the best time to invest, innovate and make in India.
He cited the country’s digital public infrastructure as proof of a digital-first governance mindset and an investor-friendly approach.
Building a Trusted Global Supply Chain
Modi called on industry and academia to work together to address bottlenecks in global supply chains, especially in semiconductors, telecom, and electronics.
He noted that ten semiconductor manufacturing units are under development in India, signalling progress toward becoming a trusted global design and manufacturing hub.
He urged Indian companies to expand domestic production of chipsets, batteries, displays, and sensors, and to seize the opportunity to become reliable suppliers in telecom network equipment worldwide.
He also pointed to data sovereignty and security as emerging priorities, saying India can become a global data hub through investment in storage, cloud, and data centre infrastructure.
Collaborative Future
Concluding his address, Modi said the next decade of technology will depend on cooperation between startups, academia, policymakers, and research communities.
He expressed hope that the India Mobile Congress will continue to serve as a platform for such dialogue, innovation, and shared growth.
“India’s success in telecom and digital technologies,” he said, “is the success of our Atmanirbhar Bharat vision — powered by the dreams and determination of our youth.”
