Draft National Telecom Policy (NTP) 2025 Overview
The draft National Telecom Policy (NTP) 2025 outlines the government's strategic goals for the telecommunications sector by 2030.
Investment and Economic Growth
- The policy aims to double annual investment in the telecom sector to ₹1 trillion.
- It seeks to double the exports of telecom products, services, and startups.
- There is a target to create 1 million new jobs and reskill or upskill an equal number of people.
- The telecom sector’s contribution to the GDP is expected to double within the next five years.
Network Infrastructure and Connectivity
- A goal to increase tower fiberisation from 46% to 80% by 2030.
- Achieve 90% 5G population coverage by 2030.
- Connect all government institutions at the village level.
- Enable rollout of fixed-line broadband to 100 million households nationwide.
- Propose schemes under the Digital Bharat Nidhi to expand rural telecom networks.
Regulatory and Manufacturing Initiatives
- Suggests a light-touch regulatory framework for authorising submarine cable infrastructure.
- Proposes telecom manufacturing zones to promote domestic telecom equipment manufacturing.
- Aims to establish an end-to-end supply chain for telecom and network products.
Research and Security Measures
- Recommends establishing 30 advanced research laboratories at top academic institutions.
- Enhance security against emerging threats with quantum-resistant cryptography.
- Promote endpoint security and develop indigenous endpoint detection solutions.
- Use AI and machine learning for cybersecurity frameworks and incident reporting.
Key Proposals
- Universal and meaningful connectivity for all.
- Double the sectoral R&D spending on emerging telecom technologies.
- Reduce carbon footprint by 30%.
- Double the number of telecommunications startups.
