Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 10th edition of the India Mobile Congress on October 8, 2026, coinciding with Air Force Day. The event was attended by Union Cabinet ministers, state government ministers, GSMA Board members, global telecom operators, industry leaders, and students.
India's telecom sector has achieved significant milestones since the 5G launch in 2022. The country now has over 550,000 operational 5G base stations covering every district, with mobile internet speeds increasing tenfold compared to 2022. The PM highlighted how mobile phones have transformed from communication tools to instruments of governance under the Digital India vision, making technology accessible and affordable for ordinary citizens.
The speech emphasized substantial governance benefits through mobile-enabled systems. Nearly ₹50 lakh crore has been transferred directly to beneficiaries' accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer, preventing approximately ₹5 lakh crore from leakage and misuse. Under the PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme, over ₹4 lakh crore has been deposited directly into farmers' bank accounts, with notifications sent to their mobile phones every four months.
Mobile connectivity has spawned new economic sectors, with over 500 million people connected to the gaming ecosystem and content creation industry worth thousands of crores. The PM emphasized cybersecurity concerns, noting that cyber fraud and deepfakes require global cooperation. He urged GSMA and telecom operators worldwide to create a global mechanism to prevent fraud before it reaches users.
India is implementing comprehensive telecom reforms including modernizing decades-old laws through the Telecommunications Act, rationalizing structural burdens like AGR and bank guarantees, and accelerating Right of Way approvals through the GatiShakti Sanchar Portal. The semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem has gained momentum with commercial production starting at five locations, with focus shifting to the entire supply chain in the next phase of the India Semiconductor Mission.
The PM envisioned transforming India Mobile Congress into a platform serving as a junction for technology, research, industry, investment, and ideas, fostering partnerships, research projects, and global innovations originating from India.