India has become the fifth country in the world to develop the full set of tools and technology required to run mobile networks, with the fully indigenous 4G stack now ready for domestic use and exports, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Wednesday.
Indigenous 4G stack ready for exports
Speaking at the inaugural session of the 9th India Mobile Congress (IMC 2025), PM Modi said the “Made-in-India 4G stack has another unique feature. Our 4G stack is also export-ready. This means it will serve as a medium for India’s business outreach.”
The 4G stack includes a complete set of software and tools for fourth-generation telecom services, enabling India to provide fast, reliable, and seamless connectivity to its citizens. India now joins Denmark, Sweden, South Korea, and China in manufacturing a 4G mobile technology stack.
“This is a big step towards digital self-reliance and technological independence. Through indigenous 4G and 5G stacks, we can ensure connectivity while boosting India’s role as a global technology innovator,” Modi added.
Boosting technology and manufacturing
The Prime Minister highlighted the government’s focus on fast-tracking reforms and creating opportunities for investors to strengthen local manufacturing. He said test beds for 5G, 6G, advanced optical communications, and tera-hertz technologies are being financed to enable product development in India.
“India is now the second-largest 5G market globally, and in terms of per-user data consumption, we lead the world. Today, the cost of one GB of wireless data in India is less than the price of a cup of tea,” he remarked.
Future-ready: 6G and beyond
Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia emphasized India’s ambitions for 6G technology, targeting 10% of global patents by 2035. He projected that 6G services could contribute $1.2 trillion to India’s GDP by that year.
“India is no longer just a consumer of technology. From our indigenous 4G and 5G stacks to open RAN prototypes for 6G, we are building sovereign capabilities in chip design, secure core networks, satellite backhaul, and AI-native networks,” Scindia said.
India Mobile Congress 2025: A global technology platform
IMC 2025, Asia’s largest telecom, media, and technology event, expects over 1.5 lakh visitors and 7,000 delegates from 150+ countries. The four-day event will showcase 1,600+ new technology use cases in areas such as 5G, 6G, artificial intelligence, smart mobility, cybersecurity, quantum computing, and green technology.
Ramakrishna P, CEO of IMC, called the event “the definitive platform where global leaders and Indian policymakers unite to co-create and accelerate our nation’s digital future.”