Dr Chandra Shekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, emphasized that telecom infrastructure forms the foundational layer of India’s AI ecosystem. Stating that “Connectivity is not a luxury. Connectivity is sovereignty,” the minister underscored that inclusive digital connectivity is central to India’s technological leadership and digital empowerment.
Delivering the keynote address at a session on telecom and artificial intelligence organized at the ongoing India AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam, Dr. Pemmasani highlighted India’s rapid telecom growth. He noted that broadband subscribers have increased from 6 crore in 2014 to 100 crore in 2025, while average monthly mobile data consumption now exceeds 24 GB per user.
Fiber deployment has crossed 42 lakh route kilometers, and India has undertaken one of the fastest 5G rollouts globally. He stated that sustained investments in last-mile connectivity initiatives such as BharatNet are ensuring that AI-enabled services reach rural and remote areas, thereby democratizing access to emerging technologies.
The minister further observed that India is now transitioning from connectivity expansion to capability enhancement, with a focus on high-capacity fiber backhaul, edge computing for low-latency applications, cloud infrastructure expansion, and affordable access that enables startups and enterprises across Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities to innovate.
He noted that AI adoption is accelerating across sectors, with a growing number of large enterprises deploying AI in active production environments. Emphasizing the importance of trust and security, Dr. Pemmasani Chandrasekhar highlighted strengthened telecom security frameworks, the AI-enabled Digital Intelligence Platform connecting over 1,200 institutions, the ASTR tool, which has identified and disconnected over 86 lakh fraudulent SIM cards, and the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator, which has prevented fraudulent transactions worth over ₹1,400 crore.
He stated that AI-driven spam detection and fraud prevention systems are actively safeguarding citizens and strengthening digital trust. Referring to India’s global positioning, the Minister stated that India ranks among the top AI ecosystems globally and is the world’s second-largest telecom market.
He highlighted allocations under the IndiaAI Mission and significant investments in semiconductor manufacturing as part of the Government’s long-term strategy to build a self-reliant and innovation-driven digital economy. Concluding his address, Dr. Pemmasani stated that telecom is no longer merely about connecting calls, but about connecting opportunities, and reaffirmed India’s commitment to building an inclusive, secure and AI-ready digital future.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), in collaboration with the Software Technology Parks of India and Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) organised this session.