**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Communications highlights telecom infrastructure as the foundation of India's AI revolution at the India AI Impact Summit 2026. Minister of State for Communications Dr. Pemmasani Chandrasekhar reaffirmed the government's commitment to digital transformation. The address, given on February 17, 2026, underscored the importance of inclusive digital connectivity and rapid telecom growth in India's AI ecosystem.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Telecom Infrastructure and AI Growth:**
* Telecom infrastructure forms the foundational layer of India's AI ecosystem.
* Connectivity is considered essential, not a luxury, for technological leadership and digital empowerment.
* **Telecom Growth Statistics:**
* Broadband subscribers increased from 6 crore in 2014 to 100 crore in 2025.
* Average monthly mobile data consumption exceeds 24 GB per user.
* Fiber deployment has crossed 42 lakh route kilometers.
* India has undertaken one of the fastest 5G rollouts globally.
* **Focus on Capability Enhancement:**
* Transitioning from connectivity expansion to capability enhancement.
* Emphasis on high-capacity fiber backhaul, edge computing, cloud infrastructure expansion, and affordable access.
* Enables startups and enterprises across Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities to innovate.
* AI adoption is accelerating across sectors with a growing number of large enterprises deploying AI.
* **Security and Trust:**
* Strengthened telecom security frameworks with the AI-enabled Digital Intelligence Platform (1,200 institutions).
* The ASTR tool has identified and disconnected over 86 lakh fraudulent SIM cards.
* The Financial Fraud Risk Indicator has prevented fraudulent transactions worth over ₹1,400 crore.
* AI-driven spam detection and fraud prevention systems are safeguarding citizens and strengthening digital trust.
* **Global Positioning and Investments:**
* India ranks among the top AI ecosystems globally and is the world's second-largest telecom market.
* Significant investments in semiconductor manufacturing as part of the Government's long-term strategy.
* The aim is to build a self-reliant and innovation-driven digital economy.
* **Commitment to the Future:**
* Telecom is now about connecting opportunities.
* India reaffirms its commitment to building an inclusive, secure, and AI-ready digital future.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Citizens**
* **Impact:** Enhanced digital connectivity in rural and remote areas leads to democratization of access to emerging technologies. Strengthened telecom security frameworks and fraud prevention systems safeguard citizens and strengthen digital trust.
* **Action Required:** To benefit from new technological opportunities and be aware of fraud prevention measures.
**Stakeholder: Telecom Industry**
* **Impact:** Opportunities for growth and innovation in areas like high-capacity fiber backhaul, edge computing, and cloud infrastructure.
* **Action Required:** To focus on capability enhancement, expand infrastructure, and invest in security measures.
**Stakeholder: Startups and Enterprises**
* **Impact:** Increased access to affordable connectivity and cloud infrastructure enables startups and enterprises in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities to innovate.
* **Action Required:** To leverage new opportunities for innovation and growth in AI adoption.
**Stakeholder: Government**
* **Impact:** Reaffirmation of commitment to digital transformation.
* **Action Required:** To continue to invest in semiconductor manufacturing and promote the IndiaAI Mission.
Key Entities Referenced
India AI Impact Summit 2026: A summit focusing on the impact of artificial intelligence in India.
Telecom Infrastructure: Recognized as the foundational layer for India's AI ecosystem.
Ministry of Communications: The ministry is taking digital transformation initiatives
Bharat Mandapam: Location of the India AI Impact Summit 2026
IndiaAI Mission: The Government’s long-term strategy to build a self-reliant and innovation-driven digital economy.
Ministry of Communications
MoS Communications Dr. Pemmasani
Chandrasekhar highlights Telecom as the
Foundation of India’s AI Revolution at India AI
Impact Summit 2026
Telecom Infrastructure to anchor India’s AI growth – Dr.
Pemmasani Chandrasekhar
Government reaffirms Commitment to Digital transformation
– MoS
Posted On: 17 FEB 2026 5:53PM by PIB Delhi
Dr. Pemmasani Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development,
emphasized that telecom infrastructure forms the foundational layer of India’s AI ecosystem. Stating that
“Connectivity is not a luxury. Connectivity is sovereignty,” the minister underscored that inclusive digital
connectivity is central to India’s technological leadership and digital empowerment.Delivering the keynote address at a session on telecom and artificial intelligence organized at the ongoing
India AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam, Dr. Pemmasani highlighted India’s rapid telecom growth.
He noted that broadband subscribers have increased from 6 crore in 2014 to 100 crore in 2025, while
average monthly mobile data consumption now exceeds 24 GB per user. Fiber deployment has crossed 42
lakh route kilometers, and India has undertaken one of the fastest 5G rollouts globally. He stated that
sustained investments in last-mile connectivity initiatives such as BharatNet are ensuring that AI-enabled
services reach rural and remote areas, thereby democratizing access to emerging technologies.
The minister further observed that India is now transitioning from connectivity expansion to capability
enhancement, with a focus on high-capacity fiber backhaul, edge computing for low-latency applications,
cloud infrastructure expansion, and affordable access that enables startups and enterprises across Tier-2
and Tier-3 cities to innovate. He noted that AI adoption is accelerating across sectors, with a growing
number of large enterprises deploying AI in active production environments.
Emphasizing the importance of trust and security, Dr. Pemmasani Chandrasekhar highlighted strengthened
telecom security frameworks, the AI-enabled Digital Intelligence Platform connecting over 1,200
institutions, the ASTR tool, which has identified and disconnected over 86 lakh fraudulent SIM cards, and
the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator, which has prevented fraudulent transactions worth over ₹1,400 crore.
He stated that AI-driven spam detection and fraud prevention systems are actively safeguarding citizens
and strengthening digital trust.
Referring to India’s global positioning, the Minister stated that India ranks among the top AI ecosystems
globally and is the world’s second-largest telecom market. He highlighted allocations under the IndiaAI
Mission and significant investments in semiconductor manufacturing as part of the Government’s long-
term strategy to build a self-reliant and innovation-driven digital economy.Concluding his address, Dr. Pemmasani stated that telecom is no longer merely about connecting calls, but
about connecting opportunities, and reaffirmed India’s commitment to building an inclusive, secure and
AI-ready digital future.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), in collaboration with the Software Technology Parks of
India and Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) organised this session.****
MI/RG
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