India will become the data capital of the world within the next five years: Jyotiraditya Scindia

New Delhi:  Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia declared Thursday that India will become the world's data capital in the next five years.

Scindia said during the CII Annual Business Summit 2025 that the world views India as a digital-first economy. In this digital-first economy, the telecom revolution is at the forefront.

The minister said India currently has 1.2 billion telecom subscribers, making it the second largest mobile market, up from 800 million ten years ago. "There are now 940 million broadband users," he said.

Recalling the days when charges were as high as Rs 16 per minute, Scindia said that phone pricing and connectivity expenses had also dramatically decreased. When we talk about data, it used to cost Rs 287 for 1 GB 11 years ago. 1 GB of data costs Rs 9 today. According to the minister, the cost of communication has decreased by 97%.