GSMA Chair Gopal Vittal stated on Wednesday that the rapid adoption of 5G and the deployment of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in India demonstrate how inclusive growth can be driven—and the next phase of connectivity shaped—through scale, talent, and ambition.
Vittal noted that operating under global standards and fostering collaboration across markets can accelerate innovation, enhance trust and resilience, and ensure that the benefits of connectivity reach the entire world. The GSMA Board met in New Delhi last week to determine priorities for the next era of connectivity.
According to a statement, “Today, India is a leader in mobile connectivity, boasting 1.2 billion active connections—including 450 million 5G connections—which are bolstering the country’s growing digital economy. The GSMA Board also had the opportunity to meet with key leaders from the government and industry, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Globally, mobile technologies and services generated $6 trillion in economic value in 2025, representing 6.4 per cent of global GDP; this contribution is projected to rise to $11.3 trillion by 2030.
Amidst the rapid adoption of 5G across various markets, discussions focused on how sustainable market structures can support investment in new technologies and how advanced capabilities—such as network slicing—can create value for the broader economy. It is estimated that 5G will account for 57 per cent of all mobile connections by 2030. Meanwhile, operators are expected to invest $1.2 trillion in capital expenditure for network expansion and upgrades between 2025 and 2030.
The GSMA stated that the rapid rollout of 5G in India is a prime example of progress driven by sustained investment and a clear market vision. GSMA Director General Vivek Badrinath said, “India is a concrete example of the benefits that arise when policy reforms enable greater investment in mobile infrastructure. Mobile connectivity is creating new opportunities for businesses, communities, and economies—both in India and across the globe.”
He noted that the next priority is to translate the rapid expansion of 5G into tangible value, while also ensuring that more people can access and benefit from the digital economy. This will require sustained investment, collaborative policies, and enhanced coordination across the broader ecosystem. The Board also discussed the growing global threat of online fraud; to address this, the GSMA has made fraud prevention a shared industry priority under its ‘United Against Scams’ initiative.
