India's Telecom Minister Scindia Unveils 5G Expansion, 6G Plans and New Telecom Manufacturing Zone

Jyotiraditya Scindia 5G expansion 6G leadership Telecom Manufacturing Zone India Mobile Congress

Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced that India’s 5G network now serves around 500 million users, a figure equal to Europe’s total population, and set a target of reaching 1 billion 5G users by 2030. He also revealed the establishment of the country’s first Telecom Manufacturing Zone (TMZ) in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, designed to host data‑centre, chip‑making and related telecom‑industry facilities.

Scindia launched the official theme “Scale Without Boundaries” for the 10th edition of India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026, scheduled for 7‑10 October 2026 at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre in New Delhi. Organisers expect over 150,000 visitors and more than 300 global exhibitors, showcasing technologies such as 5G, 6G, AI, satellite communications and quantum computing.

Separately, the government reported that under the National Broadband Mission 2.0 the average fixed broadband download speed reached 60.85 Mbps as of 31 March 2026. Rural internet penetration rose to 48.31 % of the population in 2025‑26, with 43,908 km of optical fibre laid and 13,494 Gram Panchayats upgraded, expanding high‑speed connectivity to schools, health centres and village offices.

Entities

Bharat 6G Alliance · BharatNet · BharatNet Programme · BharatNet programme · Gwalior · Gwalior telecom manufacturing zone · India · India Mobile Congress · India Mobile Congress 2026 · India Semiconductor Mission · Jyotiraditya Scindia · National Broadband Mission 2.0

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] Average fixed broadband download speed in India reached 60.85 Mbps as of 31 Mar 2026. newsable.asianetnews.com
[● 2 SOURCES] India aims to have 1 billion (100 crore) 5G users by 2030. www.socialnews.xyz · www.mathrubhumi.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Mobile data prices in India fell from Rs 287 per GB to around Rs 8 per GB, a 97 % drop over the past decade. www.socialnews.xyz · www.mathrubhumi.com
[● 2 SOURCES] India is participating in global 6G standard‑setting through the ITU and 3GPP via the Bharat 6G Alliance. www.socialnews.xyz · www.mathrubhumi.com
[● 2 SOURCES] India’s 5G services have reached 500 million users, equal to Europe’s total population. www.socialnews.xyz · www.mathrubhumi.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Rural internet subscriber penetration in India rose to 48.31 % in 2025‑26. newsable.asianetnews.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] BharatNet programme had laid 43,908 km of optical fibre and upgraded 13,494 Gram Panchayats by June 2026. newsable.asianetnews.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] A telecom manufacturing zone was established in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. www.mathrubhumi.com
[● 2 SOURCES] India’s 5G user base has reached 50 crore (500 million) people. www.socialnews.xyz · www.mathrubhumi.com
[● 2 SOURCES] India aims to have 100 crore (1 billion) 5G users by 2030. www.socialnews.xyz · www.mathrubhumi.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Rural internet subscribers in India rose to 48.31 per 100 population in 2025‑26. newsable.asianetnews.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] A telecom manufacturing zone was established in Gujarat, India. www.mathrubhumi.com