During the inauguration of the ninth India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025 at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre in New Delhi on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi proudly announced that mobile data in India has become more affordable than a cup of tea. He emphasized that India now stands among the leading nations in terms of per-user data consumption, with costs significantly reduced to below the price of a common beverage.
The Prime Minister highlighted the remarkable growth in India’s mobile manufacturing sector, which has expanded by an astonishing 28 times, while exports have surged 127 times. This impressive growth over the last decade has created millions of direct employment opportunities. Furthermore, he noted that India’s electronics production has witnessed a six-fold increase since 2014, showcasing a robust industrial transformation.
Focusing on local value addition, PM Modi mentioned that a prominent global company’s supply chain ecosystem in India has grown to include 45 local partners, leading to the creation of over 3.5 lakh jobs. This expansion reflects a strategic shift towards fostering indigenous growth in the technology sector.
The Prime Minister urged companies to capitalize on India’s burgeoning opportunities by investing, innovating, and manufacturing locally. He specifically pointed to the country’s efforts in establishing 10 semiconductor manufacturing units, identifying the global supply chain bottlenecks as a unique chance for India to scale its production of chipsets and other crucial mobile components.
Modi also highlighted India’s technological prowess, stating that the domestically developed 4G stack is now ready for global export, a feat achieved by only five countries worldwide. This indigenous technology, he asserted, will not only ensure seamless, high-speed, and reliable 4G and 5G connectivity for Indian citizens but will also pave the way for realizing India’s ambitious 6G vision by 2030.
India has rapidly emerged as the world’s second-largest 5G market, a significant achievement considering that many districts once struggled with even 2G connectivity. This widespread rollout underscores the nation’s commitment to digital inclusion and advanced telecommunications.
Addressing national security, PM Modi assured the gathering that cybersecurity remains a top priority. He confirmed that stricter laws against cyber fraud have been implemented, accountability has been enhanced, and grievance redressal mechanisms have been significantly improved, benefiting both industries and consumers.
Adding to the Prime Minister’s remarks, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Minister of Communications, shared compelling statistics. He revealed that India’s mobile data costs have plummeted by 98% over the last eleven years, from ₹287 per GB in 2014 to a mere ₹9.11 today. This dramatic reduction has transformed India into a mobile powerhouse, now hosting 20% of the world’s mobile population with 1.2 billion subscribers, a stark contrast to a time when a single minute of voice call was considered a luxury.