Department of Telecommunications (DoT) Secretary Neeraj Mittal on Wednesday emphasized the urgent need for more telecom unicorns in India to boost innovation, digital inclusivity, and economic resilience. He underscored the role of a vibrant startup ecosystem in transforming India into a global telecommunications hub.
Speaking at an industry roundtable on digital connectivity and telecom transformation, Mittal said that India’s telecom landscape must evolve beyond traditional players to a diversified ecosystem of agile startups, deep-tech firms, and solution providers that can tackle the sector’s next-generation challenges, including 5G, satellite-based internet, cybersecurity, and AI-powered networks.
Unicorns as Catalysts of Telecom Growth
“India has unicorns in fintech, edtech, and e-commerce—but we need telecom unicorns to fuel the future of connectivity,” said Mittal. He added that a strong telecom startup base will help India not only meet domestic needs but also serve global markets with homegrown innovation.
According to Mittal, areas ripe for disruption include:
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5G applications in healthcare, logistics, and manufacturing
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Telecom software stack development
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Satellite broadband and LEO-based connectivity
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Network automation and AI-based diagnostics
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Cybersecurity products tailored for telecom
Encouraging Private Sector and R&D Investments
Mittal also called for greater private sector investment in research and development to build indigenous technologies and reduce reliance on imported telecom infrastructure. He welcomed partnerships between public and private stakeholders, emphasizing that innovation should not be limited to large players.
“India must become a design-to-deployment leader, not just a deployment market,” he said, urging startups and academic institutions to contribute towards the creation of indigenous intellectual property in telecom.
Government’s Role in Enabling Innovation
Highlighting the government’s policy focus, Mittal pointed to various initiatives such as:
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Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) to support indigenous innovations
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Design-led PLI (Production Linked Incentive) schemes for telecom equipment
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Simplified right-of-way (RoW) policies to ease telecom infrastructure deployment
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5G Testbeds and incubation centers in collaboration with IITs and other institutions
He also noted that India’s Digital Communication Policy (DCP) 2025 will continue to prioritise innovation, spectrum reforms, and ease of doing business for startups in telecom.
A Call to Action for the Ecosystem
Concluding his remarks, Mittal invited young entrepreneurs, technologists, and investors to look at telecom not just as infrastructure but as a platform for transformational applications.
“India’s telecom journey has enabled digital payments, mobile governance, and massive inclusion. The next leap will come from smart, scalable, and secure telecom tech startups—our future unicorns,” he said.
