Budget 2025-26: Priorities for pushing growth in telecom sector, local manufacturing

The Indian telecom sector is a key driver of the Indian economy, contributing about 6 per cent to India’s GDP. It is the world’s second largest, with a subscriber base of 1,203.69 million, high data consumption, and ongoing expansion into 5G services and beyond. Yet, it faces several challenges which is not only slowing down its growth but also holding it back from becoming the top global player.