Executive Summary:
The Government of India is drafting the National Telecom Policy (NTP) 2025 to replace the National Digital Communications Policy (NDCP) 2018. The NTP 2025 aims to establish aspirational goals related to connectivity, domestic manufacturing, security, and R&D in the telecom sector. Targets under consideration include broadband penetration, public WiFi expansion, 4G and 5G coverage, and fiberization of telecom towers, which are yet to be finalised.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Policy Context and Goals:**
* The NTP 2025 is under development and seeks to transform India into a telecom product nation driven by innovation, meaningful connectivity, security, and sustainability.
* The NDCP 2018 had set aspirational goals, including universal broadband connectivity at 50 Mbps for every citizen and the creation of 1 crore public WiFi hotspots.
* **Broadband Connectivity:**
* Broadband subscribers increased to 94.41 crore in March 2025 from 48.1 crore in September 2018.
* Median wireless and fixed broadband speeds improved to 133.51 Mbps and 59.51 Mbps respectively in June 2025.
* Wireline subscribers increased to 3.7 crore in March 2025 from 2.12 crore in September 2018.
* **Public WiFi Hotspots:**
* 4,08,156 WiFi hotspots have been installed across the country.
* Targets for public WiFi expansion are currently under consideration.
* **4G and 5G Coverage:**
* Targets for 4G and 5G coverage are currently under consideration.
* **Fiberization of Telecom Towers:**
* Targets for fiberization of telecom towers are currently under consideration.
* **Policy Finalization:**
* Targets are being deliberated in the context of sectoral developments, technology evolution, infrastructure readiness, and feasibility.
Impact Analysis:
* **Citizens:**
* *Impact:* Potentially improved broadband connectivity, increased access to public WiFi, and expanded 4G/5G coverage.
* *Action Required:* None specified at this stage, pending finalization of the NTP 2025.
* **Telecom Operators:**
* *Impact:* New targets for broadband penetration, WiFi hotspot deployment, 4G/5G coverage, and fiberization of telecom towers, potentially requiring infrastructure investments.
* *Action Required:* Await finalization of NTP 2025 to understand specific obligations and targets.
* **Telecom Equipment Manufacturers:**
* *Impact:* Potential opportunities in domestic manufacturing and R&D within the telecom sector.
* *Action Required:* Monitor NTP 2025 development to align with government priorities and incentives.
* **Government of India (Ministry of Communications):**
* *Impact:* Responsible for achieving the goals outlined in the NTP 2025.
* *Action Required:* Finalize and implement the NTP 2025, considering sectoral developments, technology evolution, and infrastructure readiness.
Key Entities Referenced
National Telecom Policy, 2025: The new telecom policy being drafted by the Government of India to replace the National Digital Communications Policy, 2018.
National Digital Communications Policy NDCP, 2018: The existing telecom policy that the National Telecom Policy, 2025 is intended to replace.
Ministry of Communications: The Indian government ministry responsible for telecommunications.
Department of Telecommunications: The department within the Ministry of Communications responsible for telecom policy and regulation.
5G: Fifth generation technology standard for cellular networks.
4G: Fourth generation technology standard for cellular networks.
DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR: MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
India: Mention of transforming India into a telecom product nation
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4424
ANSWERED ON 20TH AUGUST, 2025
NEW NATIONAL TELECOM POLICY
4424. SHRI V K SREEKANDAN:
SHRI SHRIRANG APPA CHANDU BARNE:
SHRI SANJAY HARIBHAU JADHAV:
SMT. BHARTI PARDHI:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is currently preparing the draft of a new National Telecom Policy
which is likely to replace the National Digital Communications Policy (NDCP), 2018 and if so, the
details thereof;
(b) whether the NDCP, 2018 had a target to provide universal broadband connectivity at 50
Mbps to every citizen by the year 2022 and if so, the details thereof along with the current status of
the said target;
(c) the manner in which the new policy modifies or evolves these ambitious broadband
penetration targets particularly regarding fixed-line broadband access for households;
(d) whether the NDCP, 2018 had a target of setting up 1 crore public Wi-Fi hotspots by the year
2022 while the new draft reportedly aims to set up 10 lakh hotspots;
(e) if so, the reasons for the said significant reduction along with the revised strategy for
providing public Wi-Fi access;
(f) whether it is also true that the Government has set a target of covering 90% of the population
with 5G by 2030 and 100% with 4G and if so, the details thereof; and
(g) whether it is also true that the towers that are connected to fiber to telecom networks are
sought to be increased from 46% to 80% and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) to (g) Yes, the Government of India is in the process of drafting the National Telecom Policy
(NTP), 2025 which will have many aspirational goals related to connectivity, domestic
manufacturing, security, R&D etc. in telecom sector. The National Digital Communications Policy
(NDCP), 2018 had set certain aspirational goals such as providing universal broadband connectivity
at 50 Mbps to every citizen and creating 1 crore public Wi-Fi hotspots. Broadband subscribers have
increased to 94.41 crore in March 2025 from 48.1 crore in September, 2018. The median wireless
and fixed broadband speeds have improved to 133.51 Mpbs and 59.51 Mbps respectively in June,
2025. No. of wireline subscribers have increased to 3.7 crore in March, 2025 from 2.12 crore in
September, 2018. Further, 4,08, 156 Wi-Fi hotspots have been installed across the country.
The National Telecom Policy, 2025 is currently in the draft stage, and the various targets
under consideration, including those relating to broadband penetration, public Wi-Fi expansion, 4G
and 5G coverage, and fiberization of telecom towers, are yet to be finalised. The various targets are
being deliberated in the context of prevailing sectoral developments, emerging technology evolution,
infrastructure readiness, and the need to balance aspiration with feasibility.
The policy's overall goal will be to transform India into a telecom product nation that is driven
by innovation and that universally connects its citizens meaningfully, securely and sustainably.
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