India’s ambitious target of becoming a $35 trillion economy by 2047 presents a wealth of growth opportunities for Airtel, as noted by Chairman Sunil Mittal. He emphasized the pivotal role that 5G technology will play in propelling India’s digital evolution, affirming Airtel’s dedication to spearheading this change and working closely with policymakers and stakeholders to realize the vision. Mittal highlighted how India’s advances in digitization have distinguished it globally, particularly in the efficient delivery of public services and goods, and stressed the increasing economic significance of the telecom sector as a driver of economic growth.
Mittal expressed strong confidence in Airtel’s continued leadership in this digital revolution, underpinned by its substantial $50 billion investment in building a secure and reliable digital infrastructure. This year, India’s digital landscape has experienced remarkable growth, fueled by enhanced internet penetration and the widespread adoption of Digital Public Goods. The country’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) has earned international acclaim for its effectiveness and broad usage. He also noted that the digital economy now accounts for approximately 11% of India’s GDP, underscoring a robust commitment from various sectors towards achieving a $1 trillion digital economy. India’s economy, growing at a rate of 8.2%, continues to be the world’s fastest-growing, bolstered by progressive reforms, strong domestic demand, and strategic infrastructure investments. Mittal described FY24 as a period of intensified investment and observed that Airtel’s choice to deploy 5G using a non-standalone network architecture has positively impacted customer experience and network performance.