TTDF-funded projects to support India's leadership in network technologies: Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani
Telecom Technology Development Fund
(TTDF) will support India's leadership in key network technology domains, according to Minister of State for Communications
Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani
.
'Through the Telecom Technology Development Fund, over 120 high-impact R&D projects are under way—spanning quantum communication, AI-automated networks, and indigenous core infrastructure. These are the seeds of future leadership,' Pemmasani said during the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 roadshow in Bengaluru on Tuesday.
Further, Pemmasani said India has made rapid strides in expanding connectivity nationwide.
As per the minister, India now has over 1.18 billion mobile subscribers — the second-largest telecom network globally, while nearly 1 billion access broadband, a massive 1452% jump from 2014 figures.
BharatNet
, the world's largest rural broadband project, has already connected over 2.18 lakh Gram Panchayats with high-speed optical fiber. 'Under BharatNet Phase 3, we're investing $18 billion (₹1.4 lakh crore) to connect an additional 40,000 Gram Panchayats, maintain existing 2.18 lakh village connections, and extend subsidized broadband access to 1.5 crore rural households,' he added.
Pemmasani said that 4G saturation has reached over 95% of India's 6.4 lakh villages, and recalled that the world's fastest 5G rollout happened in India, with over 4.7 lakh 5G sites deployed in just over two years, covering 99.6% of districts.
'India offers one of the world's lowest data prices. By making data accessible and affordable, we have democratized the digital revolution, allowing millions to connect, create, and contribute,' the minister said.
As per him, India was importing 75% of handsets, but today, the country exports phones worth ₹1.8 trillion per year, marking a shift from "Made for India" to "Made by India."
Union Minister of Communications & Development of North East Region, Jyotiraditya Scindia, in March unveiled the ninth edition of the IMC 2025, which is set to take place between October 8 to October 11.
Organised by the
Department of Telecommunications
(DoT) and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), IMC 2025 is expected to attract over 1.5 lakh visitors from more than 150 countries, feature over 400 exhibitors and partners, and more than 7,000 global delegates.
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