India’s telecom sector witnessed many policy and regulatory changes in 2024-25, the most important being the release of the draft National Telecom Policy, 2025 (NTP 25) for public consultation. Other key developments included the formulation of the draft Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) rules and the implementation of various components of the Telecommunications Act, 2023. A look at the key policy and regulatory moves during the year…
NTP 2025
The draft NTP 25 proposes a mission led roadmap to 2030, replacing the National Digital Communications Policy of 2018. It targets 100 per cent 4G and 90 per cent 5G population coverage, fibre connectivity for 80 per cent of towers, broadband connection for 100 million homes and 1 million public Wi-Fi hotspots. To stimulate the economy, it seeks Rs 1 trillion in annual telecom investment, the creation of 1 million new jobs and the reskilling of another million, and aims to double sectoral exports. Further, the policy prioritises artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things, 6G, satellite and quantum communications, and aspires for 10 per cent of global 6G intellectual property. It also aims to strengthen network trust through SafeNet infrastructure.
Digital Bharat Nidhi and BharatNet
During the year, rules were notified under the Telecommunications Act, 2023 to strengthen the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) fund to enhance the governance and execution of universal service projects. Under the Amended BharatNet Programme, the DBN also signed a quadripartite pact with the Gujarat government, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited and Gujarat Fibre Grid Network Limited (GFGNL) to transfer works and responsibilities to GFGNL.
RoW framework
To eliminate deployment friction, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) directed all states to mandatorily adopt the new RoW framework from January 1, 2025, replacing patchwork state rules and standardising fees, timelines and permissions for fibre and tower roll-out.
Spectrum policy and numbering
DoT outlined a refarming plan for over 1,100 MHz across 10 bands to feed future 5G/6G auctions, while the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) finalised recommendations to open up 37-43.5 GHz International Mobile Telecommunications spectrum, expanding eligibility to internet service providers (ISPs) and machine-to-machine providers. TRAI also proposed updates to the National Numbering Plan and initiated consultations on spectrum assignment across key microwave bands, including the E and V bands.
Consumer protection and spam control
Consumer safeguards were tightened through a two phase firewall that detects and blocks international spoofed calls before they reach users; updated procedures for lawful interception of messages with a six month ceiling; fresh Telecom Commercial Communication Customer Preference Regulations, 2018; measures against unsolicited communication; and a dedicated 1600 series for banking, financial services and insurance service calls.
Quality of service and coverage transparency
Transparency on service quality improved as TRAI mandated service-wise geospatial coverage maps with a 99 per cent operational cell benchmark effective from April 1, 2025. Operators also began publishing interactive, technology-specific maps to help customers compare and plan network coverage.
In‑building connectivity
The Rating of Properties for Digital Connectivity Regulations, 2024, defines roles for rating agencies and property managers to promote fibre ready design, in-building solutions and Wi Fi. TRAI followed up with a draft assessment manual in May 2025. The consultation closed in June 2025, and the final manual is awaited.
Tariffs: PM WANI alignment
The proposed 70th tariff amendment sought parity between the Prime Minister’s Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM WANI) public data office tariffs and retail fibre-to-the-home (FTTH). Meanwhile, the 71st amendment (2025) requires telcos to make up to 200 Mbps FTTH plans available to public data offices at no more than twice the consumer price.
Domestic manufacturing and procurement (PPP MII)
DoT notified minimum local content (LC) thresholds across 36 product categories and prioritised domestically built 5G products in public procurement. It also opened a review to fine tune the product list, LC ceilings, design criteria and methodology for computing LC for software.
Governance and standards
- The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) released draft rules on January 5, 2025, to operationalise the DPDP Act.
- TRAI indicated support for merging MeitY, DoT and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting into a unified body for better coordination in a converged digital ecosystem.
- IST alignment advisory: DoT advised ISPs to align systems with IST (UTC+5:30) under the “One Nation, One Time” initiative.
- AI governance board: The central government proposed a dedicated board to evaluate/approve AI applications in line with national and international legal frameworks.
