India Mobile Congress 2026: 6G, AI and Chips Take Centre Stage — Key Numbers and Highlights
Quick answer: The 10th India Mobile Congress (IMC 2026) in New Delhi focused on 6G, AI-native networks, satellite communication and semiconductors. PM Narendra Modi said India now has more than 5.5 lakh 5G base stations, and the government set a target of 1 billion 5G users by 2030.
Asia’s largest telecom and technology event returned to Yashobhoomi (India International Convention & Expo Centre), Dwarka, New Delhi this October for its tenth edition. Organised by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), the four-day event ran with the theme “Scale Without Boundaries” — the idea of taking new technologies from experiments to large-scale use.
Key numbers from IMC 2026
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| 5G base stations in India | More than 5.5 lakh |
| Mobile data cost | About ₹268/GB in 2014 → about ₹8/GB now |
| Broadband subscribers | About 6 crore → about 100 crore in a decade |
| 5G users today | About 55 crore |
| 5G user target | 100 crore by 2030 |
| Bharat 6G Alliance patent filings | More than 7,700 (5G and 6G) |
What PM Modi said
Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India has more than 5.5 lakh 5G base stations. He recalled that 5G services were launched from the IMC stage in 2022, and noted that the event has now completed a decade. He also pointed out that India was chosen for representation on the GSMA board this year.
What the Telecom Minister said
Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia highlighted how cheap data has become — from about ₹268 per GB in 2014 to roughly ₹8 per GB today. He said broadband users have grown from about 60 million to about 1 billion over the last ten years and that India has around 550 million 5G users, with a target of 1 billion by 2030. He also said India should move from adopting global telecom standards to helping shape them.
6G: India’s next big push
The Bharat 6G Alliance, according to the DoT, has made more than 7,700 patent filings related to 5G and 6G. The event also hosted the 3rd International Bharat 6G Symposium, which discussed global 6G standards (IMT-2030) and spectrum needs.
Technologies on display included satellite communication, cell broadcast, AI-native pre-6G networks, sovereign cloud, terahertz communication and integrated sensing.
Four focus tracks
- Srishti (Building the Future): 6G, AI-native telecom, edge and cloud computing, quantum communication, semiconductors and AI chips.
- Samvardhan (Fuelling Growth): 5G monetisation, satellite and direct-to-device networks, telecom manufacturing, robotics and network APIs.
- Sashakt (Expanding Opportunities): green telecom, e-waste and sustainable infrastructure.
- Suraksha (Strengthening Trust): cybersecurity, responsible AI, spam and fraud prevention, and data privacy.
IMC 2026 by the numbers
Organisers expected more than 1.5 lakh visitors from over 100 countries, more than 500 partners and exhibitors, over 600 startups, around 900 speakers, 2,000+ technology use cases and 120+ sessions. New areas this year included smart mobility, stadium experiences, industrial robotics and transport technology.
Why it matters for you
Cheaper data and wider 5G coverage have already changed how India uses the internet. The focus on 6G, satellite internet and fraud prevention suggests the next few years could bring better connectivity in remote areas, faster networks and stronger protection against spam and scam calls.
Frequently asked questions
When will 6G launch in India?
No launch date has been announced. India is currently working on research, patents and global standards for 6G.
What was the theme of IMC 2026?
“Scale Without Boundaries.”
Figures as reported from the event by the DoT and ministers’ speeches, October 2026.
