**Executive Summary**
At the ET Telecom 5G Summit on March 20, 2026, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar outlined India’s roadmap to achieve 1 billion 5G users by 2031 and secure 10% of global 6G patents. The document details a shift toward outcome-oriented governance and significant policy reforms aimed at improving the financial health of the telecom sector. Key actions include a USD 17 billion investment in BharatNet and the expansion of 4G infrastructure to 35,000 remote villages.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Strategic Targets and 6G Vision**
* **User Growth:** Target to reach 1 billion 5G users in India by 2031.
* **Global Leadership:** Aspiration to secure approximately 10% of global 6G patents and standards through active participation in bodies like 3GPP.
* **Economic Architecture:** Focus on shaping the global telecom ecosystem, drawing parallels to the leadership models of South Korea (Samsung/LG).
**Policy and Regulatory Reforms**
* **Financial Relief:** Redefinition of Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR), removal of Spectrum Usage Charges (SUC), and rationalization of bank guarantees.
* **Operational Ease:** Simplification of wireless licensing and facilitation of Right of Way (RoW) to accelerate network expansion.
* **Infrastructure Protection:** Implementation of measures to protect telecom infrastructure and improve service delivery.
**Infrastructure and Rural Connectivity**
* **BharatNet Project:** Investment of USD 17 billion to connect 2.6 lakh Gram Panchayats with high-speed broadband.
* **Rural 4G Expansion:** Ongoing connection of nearly 35,000 remote villages through 4G infrastructure.
* **BSNL’s Role:** Upgrading power systems and improving network uptime to 90–95% in critical rural regions.
**Governance and Innovation Ecosystem**
* **Cultural Transformation:** Shift within the Department of Telecommunications toward private sector-style efficiency, accountability, and real-time monitoring.
* **Startup Support:** Creation of a startup-friendly ecosystem with simplified regulatory processes and reduced certification timelines for manufacturers.
* **Security and Quality:** Emphasis on the "Sanchar" initiative for security and real-time monitoring of network performance.
**Impact Analysis**
**Telecom Service Providers (TSPs)**
**Impact**
They benefit from a significantly improved financial and operational environment due to reduced regulatory charges and simplified licensing.
**Action Required**
Increase large-scale investments in 5G infrastructure and ensure time-bound rollout of services.
**Startups and Telecom Manufacturers**
**Impact**
Access to a more supportive ecosystem with faster certification and reduced regulatory hurdles.
**Action Required**
Pursue innovation with speed and ambition to develop globally competitive technologies and contribute to 6G patent standards.
**Rural Communities and Gram Panchayats**
**Impact**
Enhanced access to high-speed broadband and 4G connectivity, creating a digital backbone for future 6G services.
**Action Required**
Leverage new connectivity for local economic opportunities and digital integration.
**Implementing Agencies (e.g., BSNL)**
**Impact**
Required to transition to a governance model focused on operational pragmatism and real-time execution.
**Action Required**
BSNL must continue upgrading rural infrastructure and maintain network uptime at 90–95%.
Key Entities Referenced
Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar: Minister of State for Communications who outlined India's roadmap for 5G expansion and the strategic vision for 6G leadership.
BharatNet: A national initiative to connect 2.6 lakh Gram Panchayats with high-speed broadband, providing the infrastructure backbone for 5G and 6G services.
Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR): A key regulatory and financial metric for telecom operators, the redefinition of which is highlighted as a major policy reform to encourage infrastructure investment.
Department of Telecommunications: The primary government department implementing reforms in governance, spectrum management, and licensing to accelerate telecom network expansion.
3GPP: A global standard-setting body through which India aims to contribute to 6G standards and secure global patents.
Ministry of Communications
Dr. Pemmasani Highlights India’s Rapid 5G
Expansion and Vision for 6G Leadership at ET
Telecom 5G Summit
Emphasizes Cultural Transformation Towards Outcome-
Oriented Governance with Private Sector Efficiency
Posted On: 20 MAR 2026 5:58PM by PIB Delhi
Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Minister of State for Communications, while addressing the ET Telecom
5G Summit in New Delhi, said that India has witnessed remarkable progress in the telecom sector and is
advancing with a clear roadmap to emerge as a global leader in 5G and upcoming 6G technologies.
Dr. Pemmasani stated that India is poised to reach 1 billion 5G users by 2031, underlining the
transformative impact of next-generation connectivity in enabling unprecedented opportunities for citizens
across the countryHe emphasized that this rapid progress is the result of decisive policy reforms and strong leadership. Key
measures such as redefinition of Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR), removal of Spectrum Usage Charges
(SUC), and rationalization of bank guarantees have significantly improved the financial and operational
environment for telecom service providers, enabling large-scale investments in 5G infrastructure.
Highlighting the broader ecosystem push, he noted reforms including Right of Way (RoW) facilitation,
spectrum management improvements, telecom infrastructure protection, and simplification of wireless
licensing, which have accelerated network expansion and improved service delivery.
Shift Towards Outcome-Oriented Governance and Private Sector Efficiency
Dr. Pemmasani underscored a fundamental cultural transformation within the Department of
Telecommunications, with a clear shift towards an outcome-oriented approach and adoption of private
sector-like efficiency in governance.
He highlighted that the Ministry is increasingly focusing on speed, accountability, and execution, along
with continuous engagement with stakeholders—including telecom service providers, startups, vendors,
contractors, and State governments. This ensures that challenges—whether related to infrastructure
rollout, permissions, or last-mile connectivity—are addressed in a time-bound and solution-focused
manner.
He noted that regular reviews, real-time monitoring, and close coordination with implementing agencies
have strengthened ground-level execution, reflecting a governance model that combines policy vision with
operational pragmatism.
On rural connectivity, Dr. Pemmasani informed that nearly 35,000 remote villages are being connected
through 4G infrastructure, involving extensive coordination across multiple stakeholders. He noted that
BSNL has played a crucial role in strengthening rural telecom infrastructure, including upgrading power
systems and improving network uptime to 90–95% in several regions.Highlighting progress under BharatNet, he stated that the government is investing approximately USD 17
billion to connect 2.6 lakh Gram Panchayats with high-speed broadband, creating a robust digital
backbone for 5G and future 6G services.
Speaking about the future, Dr. Pemmasani outlined India’s aspiration to secure around 10% of global 6G
patents and standards, including contributions to global standard-setting bodies such as 3GPP. He
emphasized that participation in global standards is critical not only for technological leadership but also
for shaping the economic architecture of the telecom ecosystem.
Drawing parallels with countries like South Korea, he noted that early participation in telecom standards
enabled companies such as Samsung and LG to emerge as global leaders, and India aims to replicate
similar success.
Dr. Pemmasani also highlighted the government’s commitment to fostering innovation by creating a
startup-friendly ecosystem, simplifying regulatory processes, and reducing certification timelines for
telecom equipment manufacturers.
He further emphasized the focus on improving quality of service, real-time monitoring of network
performance, and strengthening telecom security frameworks, including initiatives like Sanchar.
Underscoring the broader transformation, he remarked that India has evolved from being merely a telecom
market to becoming a global technology creator, driven by engineers, startups, policymakers, and industry
stakeholders working together.
Dr. Pemmasani reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting startups, industry players, and
researchers, urging them to pursue innovation with ambition and speed to build globally competitive
telecom and technology companies.
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