Amaravati, February 18, 2026: Union Minister of State for Communications Pemmasani Chandrasekhar declared that strong digital connectivity underpins India's push toward an AI-driven future.
Speaking at the AI Impact Summit 2026 in Delhi, he pointed to explosive growth: broadband subscribers rose from 60 million in 2014 to more than one billion by 2025, with over 1.2 billion users now creating massive data flows essential for AI advances.
He highlighted key enablers, including 5G rollout, over 70 percent fiberized telecom towers, the BharatNet initiative, and more than 4.2 million kilometres of optical fibre laid nationwide.
These deliver high-speed, low-latency access with edge computing, while average monthly data use hits 24 GB per person and tele-density exceeds 85 percent. Affordable tariffs and regional-language AI tools promote broad inclusion.
