New Delhi: Union Minister for Communications and Development of the North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya Scindia, has projected that India’s Wi-Fi sector will grow into a $22 billion industry by 2035, marking a significant milestone in the country’s digital transformation journey.
Speaking at the World Wi-Fi Day Conference organised by the Broadband India Forum, Scindia described Wi-Fi as “an invisible force powering visible change,” underscoring its critical role in driving inclusive growth. He highlighted India’s leading position in the digital economy, noting that the country now accounts for 46% of global digital transactions.
“Connectivity is no longer a luxury—it is a foundational tool of empowerment, as vital today as capital and infrastructure once were,” Scindia said. He stressed that Wi-Fi is central to fostering digital inclusion across India and urged that “every hotspot must become a hope spot.”
The minister outlined a vision of grassroots digital entrepreneurship powered by accessible devices, expansive networks, and deregulated spectrum. He hailed the Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) as a transformative initiative aimed at bridging the digital divide, particularly in rural and remote areas.
Citing India’s globally competitive data prices—Rs 9 per GB versus the global average of $2.49—Scindia praised the country’s leadership in telecom affordability. He also welcomed the recent de-licensing of the 6 GHz spectrum, saying it will support multi-gigabit speeds and enable cost-effective digital infrastructure nationwide. Policy guidelines for this new spectrum are expected to be released before Independence Day 2025.
Scindia called upon industry players to focus on innovation in affordable hardware, cautioning that expensive devices must not become the next barrier to digital access.
“Connectivity is not a commodity—it is an act of nation-building,” he concluded, urging all stakeholders to unite in the mission to bring digital empowerment to every household, mind, and public service across the country.
