Telecom Regulators from India, EU, US Chart Digital Path at MWC

Barcelona, Spain - Government leaders from India, the European Union, and the United States emphasized the need to balance regulation and innovation in telecommunications while addressing infrastructure investments at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 on Monday.

India's Minister of Communications, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, highlighted the country's rapid digital transformation, reporting that the country now has 1.2 billion telecom subscribers, 971 million internet users, and 942 million broadband subscribers. 

India deployed its 5G network in 21 months, with 500,000 towers erected to cover 99% of districts and 82% of the population. 

According to Scindia, the country offers the world's cheapest data at approximately 11 cents per gigabyte.

India has become the second-largest mobile market globally, producing around 350 million mobile phones annually. 

This represents 15.5% of the world market and $20 billion in exports. 

The government is implementing a $16 billion rural broadband initiative called Bharatnet to connect 680,000 villages with fiber optic cables. 

Currently, 214,000 villages are connected.

European Commission Executive Vice President Henna Virkkunen outlined the EU's digital agenda, stating that Europe requires over 200 billion euros in connectivity infrastructure investment to achieve its digital decade targets by 2030. 

The EU has allocated more than 21 gigahertz of spectrum for 5G and is developing a roadmap for 6G spectrum.

Virkkunen announced that the Commission recently launched "Invest AI," an initiative to mobilize 200 billion euros for artificial intelligence investments, including a new European fund of 20 billion euros dedicated to AI gigafactories. She emphasized the EU's focus on three pillars: investments in digital infrastructure, regulatory simplification, and security and resilience.

The EU recently presented an action plan on submarine cable security following incidents in the Baltic Sea where undersea cables were damaged. 

Virkkunen stated that the Commission will explore accelerating the 5G cybersecurity toolbox enforcement to protect critical communications from high-risk suppliers.

Newly appointed U.S. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr emphasized America's focus on spectrum availability, regulatory simplicity, and scale to encourage network investments. 

Carr noted that the U.S. has seen increased investment, speed, and coverage in telecommunications since allowing the merger of Sprint and T-Mobile.

Carr announced that the FCC has initiated proceedings to examine additional spectrums in the upper portion of the C-band to support AI development. 

He stated that the U.S. intends to maintain leadership in AI technology while ensuring systems develop without ideological bias.

The U.S. regulator expressed concerns regarding Europe's Digital Services Act (DSA), suggesting it could impose excessive restrictions on free speech incompatible with American traditions. 

Carr confirmed that his administration would oppose any protectionist regulation that might treat U.S. technology companies differently.

All three leaders emphasized the importance of cybersecurity in network infrastructure. 

Carr mentioned U.S. actions against what he termed "untrusted vendors" like Huawei and ZTE, stating that these companies presented "unacceptable risks" to the United States. 

India's Scindia reported that India has blocked 26 million mobile devices and 86% of spoofed calls through its telecommunications security initiatives.

India aims to contribute at least 10% of patents for 6G technology. 

It has established 100 test labs and formed partnerships with international agencies and countries, including the U.S., Europe, South Korea, Germany, and the UK. 

Scindia stated that India is one of only five countries globally to develop its 4G technology stack, alongside Finland, Sweden, China, and another nation.