Context:
The Ministry of Communications, Government of India, has released the Draft National Telecom Policy 2025 to guide the sector’s growth from 2025 to 2030. It emphasizes self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat), next-generation technology adoption, and universal digital access.
Key Features of Draft NTP 2025
1. Domestic Manufacturing & Self-Reliance
- Incentives for Indian-made telecom equipment usage to support firms like Tejas Networks, HFCL.
- Target: 50% substitution of telecom imports with domestic manufacturing.
2. R&D and IP Generation
- Double India’s telecom R&D spend.
- Support 500 tech startups.
- Goal: Capture 10% of global 6G-related IPRs.
- Introduce blended finance and fund-of-fund models.
3. Infrastructure and Connectivity Targets
- 100% 4G and 90% 5G coverage by 2030.
- Tower fiberization from 46% to 80%.
- Full Gram Panchayat connectivity via BharatNet (target: 98% uptime).
- 1 million public Wi-Fi hotspots.
- Fixed-line broadband to reach 100 million households.
4. Employment and Skill Development
- Create 1 million new telecom jobs.
- Upskill 1 million workers in areas like 6G, quantum, cybersecurity, and IoT.
5. Exports and Investments
- Double telecom product and service exports.
- Attract ₹1 trillion in annual sectoral investment.
6. Secure and Trusted Networks
- Mandatory security audits of telecom equipment.
- Focus on quantum-safe telecom networks.
7. Green Telecom Vision
- Cut sector’s carbon footprint by 30%.
- Promote green energy adoption and eco-friendly deployment practices.
