NEWS – Centre Releases Draft of New National Telecom Policy (2025)
HIGHLIGHTS

Context & Purpose

• Draft Released By: Department of Telecommunications (DoT)
• Replaces: 2018’s National Digital Communications Policy
• Vision: Create a “telecom product nation” focused on innovation, universal connectivity, security, and sustainability.

Connectivity Targets

• 5G Coverage: 90% population by 2030
• 4G Coverage: 100% population
• Fiberised Towers: Increase from 46% → 80%
• Wi-Fi Hotspots: 1 million (revised down from 10 million in 2018)
• Satellite Internet: To be promoted in remote/rural areas

 Domestic Capacity & Jobs

• R&D: Boost indigenous telecom research & 6G standardisation
• Manufacturing: Increase output by 150% by 2030
• Employment: Create 10 lakh jobs and upskill existing workforce

Cybersecurity & AI Use

• AI in Telecom: For both cybersecurity defense & chatbot complaint handling
• Quantum-Secure Networks: Focus on next-gen encryption
• Border Surveillance: Enhanced monitoring to prevent cross-border signal spillage

Sustainability Goals

• Carbon Footprint: Reduce by 30%
• Circular Economy: Recycle telecom hardware and infrastructure components

Other Features

• Lawful Interception: Dropped; replaced with privacy-friendly frameworks
• Mobile Number Verification: Already underway to improve digital ID reliability