New Delhi, October 8, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India’s telecom sector has moved beyond networks, spectrum and internet speeds, with mobile connectivity emerging as an important tool for governance and access to public services.
Addressing the 10th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026 in New Delhi, Modi said mobile phones had undergone a major transformation over the past decade, evolving from conventional communication devices into instruments that can help deliver government services.
“Mobile phone has become a tool of good governance,” the Prime Minister said.
Recalling the evolution of the India Mobile Congress, Modi highlighted its role in India’s telecom journey, including the launch of 5G in 2022 and India’s hosting of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in 2024.
He said 5G connectivity had now reached every district in the country, with more than 5.5 lakh base stations operating 5G networks. Mobile internet speeds, he added, are now 10 times higher than in 2022.
Modi said India had faced a digital divide a decade ago, when emerging technologies risked becoming a privilege available only to sections of society. The Digital India programme, he said, sought to address this challenge by placing mobile phones at the centre of efforts to expand digital access and public services.
Referring to this year’s IMC theme, “Scale Without Boundaries”, Modi said it reflected India’s own experience of expanding its telecom and digital infrastructure.
“For Indians, telecom means much more,” he said, emphasising that the sector’s growth should be assessed not only through network speeds and spectrum but also by its impact on governance and citizens’ access to essential services.
The Prime Minister also cited the Covid-19 pandemic as an example of the importance of India’s digital ecosystem, saying offices, banks and educational institutions were able to continue functioning even when activities in several parts of the world had come to a standstill.
He said IMC had evolved into a platform showcasing India’s progress and aspirations in telecom and digital technology.
The 10th India Mobile Congress is being held from October 7 to 10 in the national capital. The event is organised by the Department of Telecommunications and the Cellular Operators Association of India, and is being attended by telecom operators, industry leaders, experts and startup representatives from across the world.
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