PM says India once struggled with 2G: Cost of 1GB data is less than a cup of tea

Digital Desk

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 9th edition of India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 on Wednesday at Yashobhoomi in Delhi. It is Asia’s largest telecom, media, and technology event. The PM also addressed the event.

He said that when he spoke about 'Make in India', some people used to mock it. They have now been proven wrong. The country that once struggled with 2G now has 5G coverage in every district. Today, the cost of 1GB of wireless data in India is even less than a cup of tea.

The PM added that India has launched a Made in India 4G stack. India is now among the five countries in the world with this capability. The whole world is recognising India’s capabilities. We have the world’s second-largest telecom and 5G market. This is the perfect time for investment, innovation, and manufacturing in India.

Three key points from PM Modi’s speech:

· Youth and telecom strength: India has the youngest population in the world. The new generation is being highly skilled on a large scale. India has the world’s second-largest telecom and second-largest 5G market. Along with this, the country also has manpower, mobility, and the right mindset.

· Cybersecurity focus: The country is giving equal priority to cybersecurity. Laws against cyber fraud have been strengthened, accountability has been established, and grievance redressal systems have been improved. Both industry and consumers are benefiting greatly from these measures.

· Mobile manufacturing and data infrastructure: More work is needed domestically in mobile manufacturing, from chipsets and batteries to displays and sensors. The world is generating more data than ever, making storage, security, and sovereignty critical. By developing data centres and cloud infrastructure, India can become a global data hub.

Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, while addressing the event, said that today India’s telecom revolution is based on four ‘D’s – Democracy, Demography, Digital First, and Delivery. In 2014, the cost of 1 GB of data was ₹287. Today, the same 1 GB of data costs only ₹9.11.

Scindia added that this is not just a telecom revolution; it is a revolution of a developed India. Skills give us strength, security gives us confidence, and sovereignty makes us self-reliant. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, India is transforming from a dependent nation into a self-reliant India.

The Union Minister also said that today, more than 20 countries around the world are in discussions to adopt India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) model. A country that once took technology from others and followed has now become a global digital flagbearer.

IMC 2025 will run from 8 to 11 October. Companies, startups, and experts from India and abroad will showcase new technologies. Over 1.5 lakh speakers, 7,000+ global delegates, and more than 400 companies from over 150 countries, including India, Canada, Japan, the UK, and Russia, will take part.

According to a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office, the event is jointly organised by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI). This year’s theme is “Innovate to Transform.”

This year, the India Mobile Congress will focus on optical communication, semiconductors in telecom, quantum communication, 6G, and fraud risk indicators, reflecting India’s strategic priorities in next-generation connectivity, digital sovereignty, cyber fraud prevention, and global technology leadership.

IMC 2025 will showcase over 1,600 new technological applications related to 5G/6G, artificial intelligence, smart mobility, quantum computing, cybersecurity, and green technology. The event will include over 100 technical sessions and more than 800 speakers sharing their insights.