Indian Mobile Congress 2025: Industry hails PM Modi’s vision, calls for next phase of innovation

PM Modi at IMC 2025

The ninth edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025), Asia’s largest technology and digital innovation platform, began today at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre in New Delhi, bringing together global industry leaders, policymakers, innovators, and startups.

The first day of the four-day event was marked by resounding support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to make India a global leader in telecom, electronics, and next-generation technologies, including 5G, 6G, and advanced optical communications.

Themed “Innovate to Transform,” IMC 2025 aims to position India at the forefront of the global digital revolution by fostering collaboration between industry, academia, and government to shape the future of connectivity, manufacturing, and sustainable innovation.

Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurates 6G symposium
Union Minister for Communications and Development of the North Eastern Region, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, inaugurated the International 6G Symposium 2025 on Day 1. In his address, he highlighted India’s transformation from a passive technology consumer to a global digital leader, with the nation now driving innovation in 5G deployment, indigenous telecom manufacturing, and space communications.

“India’s goal is to secure 10% of global 6G patents and expand our growing satellite communications market, which is projected to triple by 2033,” Scindia said. The symposium featured global thought leaders, policymakers, and researchers discussing 6G research collaborations, standardization efforts, and pathways for India’s leadership in the next generation of mobile technology.

Focus on global collaboration and innovation
The inaugural day also saw the Satcom Summit, organized in collaboration with IN-SPACe, and the International Bharat 6G Symposium, which explored opportunities in satellite communications, optical fiber networks, AI integration, and IoT applications.

Ramakrishna P., CEO of India Mobile Congress, said IMC 2025 marks a major milestone in India’s journey toward becoming Asia’s technology and innovation hub. “With global collaborations, the Startup World Cup India, and our focus on 6G, AI, cybersecurity, and digital infrastructure, IMC 2025 brings together leaders who will shape the nation’s digital future,” he said.

The day featured multiple panel discussions on themes such as “Beyond Connectivity: Democratizing Tomorrow’s Innovation Engines”, “5G Evolution: Optimization through Intelligent RAN”, “Edge AI: Unlocking Value from Farms to Factories”, and “India’s Telecom Manufacturing Boom: Driving Exports and Digital Sovereignty.”

Policymakers highlight inclusive digital growth
Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, said India has transformed innovation into a people’s movement. “Our aim has been to democratize knowledge — the currency of innovation. Making innovation accessible, affordable, and achievable for every Indian, regardless of background or geography, is central to our mission,” he said.

Lt. Gen. Dr. S.P. Kochhar, Director General, Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), said the Prime Minister’s vision has placed India’s digital future in capable hands. “India’s telecom sector is rapidly evolving, supported by major upgrades and firm action against spam and scams under government direction. A balanced ecosystem that supports both large players and startups is essential to sustain India’s momentum,” he added.

Industry leaders on India’s global role
Global CEOs and technology experts echoed optimism about India’s growing importance in the global digital landscape.

Gopal Vittal, Chairman, GSMA, said connectivity is now a fundamental right. “We need to address trust, security, and inclusion through global collaboration and smarter regulation. India’s market is dynamic and demanding — sustainable growth will come from efficiency, innovation, and collective responsibility.”

Prof. David Koilpillai, Chairman, Bharat 6G Alliance, said, “Over the last 12 months, our focus has been on identifying opportunities for innovation with 5G Advanced and 6G technologies to achieve ubiquitous coverage, sustainability, and affordability.”

Hiroshi Mikitani, CEO of Rakuten Group, stressed the importance of data-driven ecosystems. “Competition isn’t linear; companies can be both partners and competitors. The real value lies in how effectively we utilize data to connect and enhance services,” he said.

Magnus Ewerbring, CTO for Asia Pacific at Ericsson, said the company is focusing on enabling mobile networks to harness the power of AI. “We are working to make AI accessible through cloud networks and mobile platforms while optimizing for power efficiency and performance.”

Mohan Rao Goli, MD and Corporate VP of Samsung R&D Institute India – Bangalore, said, “Next-generation networks must evolve beyond speed to become truly AI-native. With 6G, we envision networks that learn and self-organize in real time to deliver seamless, sustainable, and secure connectivity.”

Anku Jain, MD of MediaTek India, added that India’s technology landscape is undergoing a remarkable transformation. “With rapid advances in connectivity, AI, and semiconductor innovation, MediaTek remains committed to making cutting-edge technologies accessible and transformative for India’s digital future.”

IMC 2025: India’s technology powerhouse
Organized jointly by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and COAI, IMC 2025 will run from October 8–11, 2025, featuring over 400 exhibitors, 800 speakers, and 7,000 global delegates. The event is expected to attract 1.5 lakh visitors from over 150 countries.

The flagship startup program ASPIRE, first introduced in 2023, will feature 500+ startups connecting with 300 investors, incubators, and venture capitalists for mentorship and live pitching sessions.

As India Mobile Congress 2025 unfolds, it underscores India’s accelerating journey from a digital adopter to a global innovation leader, reaffirming its mission to build a technology-driven, inclusive, and sustainable future.