Satellite broadband players like Starlink and OneWeb may extend connectivity, but GSMA director general Vivek Badrinath says India’s real digital divide lies elsewhere.
Despite nearly universal 4G coverage and over 80% 5G reach, roughly 690 million Indians remain offline — not because networks are lacking, but because they don’t own smartphones or have the digital skills to use them.
“Ten years ago, direct-to-device connectivity from a satellite would’ve seemed impossible — the technological advances are remarkable. But satellites mainly address the coverage gap, which is not the biggest issue in India today. The real challenge is the usage gap — ensuring people have affordable smartphones and know how to use them,” Badrinath told Moneycontrol at India Mobile Congress.
He added that Indian operators have invested heavily in rural connectivity and fibre rollouts, and that while satellite networks can expand access where fixed broadband isn’t viable, “the main priority should remain empowering billions through mobile networks.”
Calling India’s digital transformation “very impressive,” he said operators have achieved one of the fastest 5G rollouts in the world, connecting over 365 million people in record time.
“India now has 99% 4G coverage and 82% 5G coverage…these are powerful numbers,” he said. “The efforts of Indian operators in a tight spectrum environment are commendable.”
However, he added that “the glass is not completely full.”
GSMA’s new Digital Nation India report highlights that nearly half the population remains offline, underscoring what Badrinath calls the “usage gap.”
“It’s not just a usage gap — it’s also a gender gap,” he said. “Women are 33% more likely to be unconnected than men. There are deep societal and economic implications because these are people who are not yet empowered.”
Badrinath identified three key barriers behind this divide — smartphone affordability, digital literacy, and relevant local-language content. “Data in India is among the cheapest in the world — roughly the price of a cup of tea per gigabyte, as the Prime Minister said. The real challenge is smartphone affordability,” he said.
“Policies that promote affordable smartphones, through recycling, reducing taxes, and recognising that connectivity is essential, are crucial.”
He also pointed to the importance of digital skilling and AI-driven local-language content. “If you’re not connected, you won’t be part of the AI revolution — but AI can also be part of the solution,” he said. “Voice-based and local-language interfaces powered by AI can help millions come online.”
Another major obstacle, Badrinath said, is fear. “Nearly 50% of Indians have been scammed online at least once, and 15% in just the past year. People are scared to go online because bad things might happen — and that’s a problem for the entire digital ecosystem.”
Tackling this, he added, requires a collaborative approach across telecom, tech, and financial sectors. “Think of it this way — you can lock your door securely, but if someone leaves a window open, the thief will still get in,” he said. “Scams typically involve three actors — connectivity providers, platforms or apps, and banks. To fight scams effectively, all three need to collaborate.”
He pointed to GSMA’s Open Gateway initiative, which includes a “scam signal API” that helps banks detect phishing calls. “The key is cooperation, not finger-pointing,” he said, adding that GSMA’s Scam Task Force is working to bring together governments, operators, and digital platforms to combat online fraud.
Badrinath also praised India’s decision to open up the upper 6 GHz band for mobile use, one of the few countries to do so.
“Spectrum is a common good and when allocated to mobile operators, it serves billions…India’s move sends a powerful signal globally,” he said.
On 5G monetisation, Badrinath said there is “reason for optimism and reason for pragmatism.”
“With 82% coverage already achieved, industrial players no longer have an excuse — the network is ready…But monetisation will take time. Industrial 5G depends on standalone 5G, network slicing, robotics, and software integration — all of which take longer than consumer cycles,” he said.
India, he said, is now being seen not just as a receiver of technology but as an exporter and innovator.
“The global scale of 4G and 5G, powered by billions of Indian and Chinese users, has made these technologies affordable worldwide. The intellectual property being generated across India, the US, China, and Europe will collectively shape the best technologies of the future,” he said.
Badrinath also backed India’s push for indigenous telecom technologies such as the BSNL 4G stack and efforts to build a homegrown 5G stack. “It’s a good and ambitious initiative. The 4G stack is a great start, and the goal now is to build towards a 5G stack. These initiatives enrich the ecosystem and add valuable ideas to global technology development.”
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