Telecom is the Bedrock of India’s AI revolution, says MoS Pemmasani; 100 cr broadband users, ₹1400 cr fraud prevented
Delivering the keynote at a session on telecom and artificial intelligence at Bharat Mandapam, the minister said inclusive digital connectivity is central to India’s technological leadership and digital empowerment.
New Delhi: Telecom infrastructure is the foundational layer of India’s artificial intelligence ecosystem, Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development Pemmasani Chandrasekhar said at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, asserting that “connectivity is not a luxury. Connectivity is sovereignty.”
Delivering the keynote at a session on telecom and artificial intelligence at Bharat Mandapam, the minister said inclusive digital connectivity is central to India’s technological leadership and digital empowerment.
100 Crore Broadband Users, 42 Lakh Route Km of Fibre
Highlighting the sector’s expansion, he noted that broadband subscribers have grown from 6 crore in 2014 to 100 crore in 2025, while average monthly mobile data consumption now exceeds 24 GB per user. Fibre deployment has crossed 42 lakh route kilometres, and India has executed one of the world’s fastest 5G rollouts.
He said sustained investments in last-mile connectivity initiatives such as BharatNet are ensuring that AI-enabled services reach rural and remote areas, democratising access to emerging technologies.
The focus, he added, is now shifting from connectivity expansion to capability enhancement — including high-capacity fibre backhaul, edge computing for low-latency applications, expanded cloud infrastructure and affordable access that enables startups and enterprises in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities to innovate.
AI-Enabled Security and Fraud Prevention
Emphasising digital trust, the Minister highlighted strengthened telecom security frameworks and AI-driven safeguards. The AI-enabled Digital Intelligence Platform connects over 1,200 institutions, while the ASTR tool has identified and disconnected more than 86 lakh fraudulent SIM cards.
He said the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator has prevented fraudulent transactions worth over ₹1,400 crore, and AI-powered spam detection and fraud prevention systems are actively protecting citizens.
Global Positioning and Policy Alignment
The minister noted that India is among the top AI ecosystems globally and is the world’s second-largest telecom market. He referenced allocations under the IndiaAI Mission and investments in semiconductor manufacturing as part of a long-term strategy to build a self-reliant, innovation-driven digital economy.
“Telecom is no longer merely about connecting calls, but about connecting opportunities,” he said, reaffirming the government’s commitment to building an inclusive, secure and AI-ready digital future.
The session was organised by the Department of Telecommunications in collaboration with the Software Technology Parks of India and the Cellular Operators Association of India.
