5G Reaches Every District Through More Than 5.5 Lakh Base Stations; PM Calls for Global Action on Cyber Fraud and Deepfakes
New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the 10th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, using the occasion to highlight India’s remarkable digital transformation, the democratisation of technology and the country’s transition from a technology consumer to a technology creator.
The Prime Minister began his address by commemorating October 8 as Air Force Day and paid tribute to the brave personnel safeguarding the nation’s skies.
“I bow to all our bravehearts and wish the country on Air Force Day,” Prime Minister Modi said.
He also expressed gratitude to citizens and friends of India across the world following the completion of 25 years of continuous service as Head of Government, a milestone he reached a day earlier.
“I express my gratitude to every countryman and every friend of India around the world for their good wishes,” he said.
10 Years of India Mobile Congress
Highlighting the journey of the India Mobile Congress, PM Modi noted that the event is completing its 10th edition, while India is also hosting the GSMA Board meeting. He welcomed telecom operators, industry leaders, academics, startups and representatives of the wider global technology ecosystem.
The Prime Minister also expressed his condolences on the reported passing of legendary actor Nana Patekar, remembering him as a brilliant artist who won audiences through his portrayal of diverse characters.
He described Nana Patekar as an independent spirit whose life was dedicated to the honour and glory of the Tricolour, and paid tribute to his contribution to Indian cinema.
“I pay my tributes to Nana Patekar ji and express my condolences to his family members and admirers,” PM Modi said.
From 5G Launch to Nationwide Connectivity
Recalling the launch of 5G from the same platform in 2022, PM Modi said he had predicted its rapid expansion in 2023. He noted that 5G networks are now operating through more than 5.5 lakh base stations and have reached every district of the country, resulting in internet speeds that are around ten times higher.
“Today we all are seeing 5G connectivity has reached every district of the country,” he said.
The Prime Minister also recalled the growing international stature of IMC. The 2024 edition hosted the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for discussions on global standards, while earlier editions had focused significantly on domestic innovation and manufacturing.
He said the India Mobile Congress has emerged as a platform reflecting India’s progress and aspirations.
“In the past years, this platform has emerged as the platform of India’s progress, of India’s dreams,” PM Modi observed.
Taking forward the theme of “Scale Without Boundaries,” the Prime Minister said India’s own experience demonstrates how technology and innovation can be scaled across a vast and diverse country.
“I would like to tell you from India’s experiences how we have lived and demonstrated the dream of Scale without boundaries,” he said.
Mobile Phone Becomes an Instrument of Good Governance
PM Modi said that over the past 10–12 years, the mobile phone has evolved beyond a communication device and become a vital instrument of good governance and the Digital India vision.
He said global discussions on telecom often focus on spectrum, towers and network speeds, but India’s experience demonstrates that the deeper objective is to use technology to improve the everyday lives of citizens.
The Prime Minister recalled that around a decade ago, advanced technology was increasingly becoming an elite privilege. The Digital India initiative, he said, deliberately placed the mobile phone at the centre of efforts to democratise technology, supported by telecom reforms, infrastructure expansion and domestic manufacturing.
“This was a very big effort for the democratization of technology,” he said.
Digital Connectivity Transforms Education and Ease of Living
PM Modi said widespread access to mobile phones and affordable data significantly improved the Ease of Living for ordinary citizens.
The importance of digital connectivity became particularly visible during the COVID-19 pandemic, when offices, banks and schools were able to continue functioning despite widespread restrictions.
He said children in remote villages can now access quality digital education, making digital learning increasingly accessible to all.
According to figures cited by the Prime Minister, the Diksha online learning platform recorded more than 5 billion learning sessions and 60 billion learning minutes during the peak pandemic period up to July 2022.
He added that the government is now working to connect around 25 crore students with digital and online education platforms.
“Digital learning is coming within everyone’s reach,” PM Modi said.
Technology Bridges India’s Geographic and Linguistic Diversity
The Prime Minister highlighted how mobile connectivity has helped overcome India’s enormous geographic and linguistic diversity.
Earlier, citizens often had to spend considerable time and money travelling to urban centres to access basic banking, healthcare and government services. Digital connectivity, he said, has brought these services closer to people and linked diversity with convenience.
₹50 Lakh Crore Transferred Directly to Beneficiaries
Highlighting the impact of digital governance on financial transparency, PM Modi said more than ₹50 lakh crore has been transferred directly to beneficiaries through mobile-enabled platforms.
He said this mechanism has helped prevent around ₹5 lakh crore from being lost through leakages.
The Prime Minister specifically cited the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, under which more than ₹4 lakh crore has been directly transferred to small and marginal farmers.
“Now that same money is reaching the right beneficiary,” he said.
Summing up the impact of digital technology on ordinary citizens, PM Modi said the transformation has resulted in less travel, less waiting, lower costs and greater convenience.
He described this as “Technology’s biggest Citizen Dividend.”
Mobile Phone Emerges as Gaming Console and Creation Studio
PM Modi also highlighted the economic opportunities generated by expanded telecom infrastructure, optical fibre networks and affordable data.
He said the resulting digital ecosystem has created new consumers and creators across technology, entertainment and education.
According to figures shared by him, more than 50 crore people, particularly young people in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, are now part of India’s gaming ecosystem.
He noted that many have progressed from being players to becoming e-sports athletes, content creators and entrepreneurs.
“Meaning, the mobile phone in India is today a gaming console as well and has also become a studio of creation,” he remarked.
Creator Economy and Regional Content Expand
The Prime Minister said affordable data and widespread connectivity have also democratised content creation.
Video-sharing platforms and regional OTT services have reached smaller towns and rural areas, helping overcome traditional language barriers. He said the content creation industry has now grown into a multi-thousand-crore sector, creating livelihoods for millions.
“Meaning, the mobile phone has also democratized content creation in India,” PM Modi said.
Cybersecurity and Digital Trust Are Essential
Turning to cybersecurity, the Prime Minister stressed that as telecom and digital services become increasingly integrated into everyday life, strengthening security around mobile devices and networks has become a national priority.
For ordinary users, he said, the most important issue is trust—knowing who is calling, verifying the authenticity of messages, and being confident that digital payments and personal information remain secure.
“For him, trust is very important,” he said.
PM Modi emphasised that citizens must have confidence that their personal data is safe whenever they provide it through digital platforms.
Call for Global Framework Against Cyber Fraud and Deepfakes
The Prime Minister called for coordinated international action against cyber fraud and deepfakes, noting that digital threats transcend national borders.
He urged governments, technology companies, telecom operators and financial institutions to work together on a Global Framework capable of preventing fraud before it reaches end users.
He specifically called upon the GSMA to contribute to the development of proactive mechanisms to intercept digital fraud.
“India is always ready to share its experiences with the world,” PM Modi asserted.
Roadmap for the Global Mobile Industry
With only four years remaining in the current decade, the Prime Minister said discussions at the India Mobile Congress and the GSMA Board meeting would be important in shaping the roadmap for the global mobile industry.
He said the roadmap emerging from these discussions would provide direction not only to India but to the mobile market across the world.
India Moving from Consumer to Creator
PM Modi emphasised that India has moved from being a technology consumer to a technology creator and is now working towards greater domestic control over product design, underlying technologies and intellectual property.
He said the government is modernising decades-old laws, introducing incentives and undertaking regulatory reforms, including through the Telecommunications Act and the GatiShakti portal.
“Meaning, in the telecom sector as well, the reform express is moving forward rapidly,” he said.
Semiconductor Manufacturing Gains Momentum
Giving an update on semiconductor manufacturing, the Prime Minister said India’s domestic semiconductor ecosystem is expanding rapidly, with commercial production already underway at five locations.
He said the next phase of the India Semiconductor Mission would focus on further localising the entire semiconductor supply chain.
“Meaning, India is taking big steps in every area related to the telecom sector,” PM Modi said.
IMC Should Become a Global Hub for Innovation
Concluding his address, the Prime Minister called upon the India Mobile Congress to evolve beyond being merely a technology exhibition and become a global platform for humanity-serving innovation, research, partnerships and ideas.
He expressed confidence that the telecom and technology ecosystem would continue contributing to India’s vision of becoming a developed nation, while also positioning the country as a major global hub for technological innovation.
“I am confident that you all will keep making wholehearted efforts for this. With this expectation, once again, many best wishes to all of you,” PM Modi said.