Telecom Infrastructure in India: Latest Deals and Updates 2025

India’s telecom sector is a cornerstone of the nation’s digital transformation, driving economic growth, digital inclusion, and technological innovation. As the world’s second-largest telecommunications market, with over 1.2 billion subscribers, India continues to witness rapid advancements in infrastructure, fueled by government policies, private investments, and the rollout of next-generation technologies like 5G and 6G. In 2025, the sector is experiencing significant deals, mergers, and policy updates that are reshaping its landscape. This blog dives into the latest developments, key deals, and trends shaping India’s telecom infrastructure in 2025.

The Indian Telecom Landscape in 2025

India’s telecom market is projected to reach USD 53.18 billion in 2025, with an expected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.4%, potentially reaching USD 83.34 billion by 2030. The sector’s growth is driven by:

• Massive Subscriber Base: 1.203 billion telephone subscribers, with a tele-density of 85.43% (132.94% in urban areas, 59.05% in rural areas).
• 5G Rollout: One of the fastest global 5G deployments, with 385,888 base stations installed by November 2023, expected to cover 90% of the population by mid-2025.
• Digital Inclusion: 969 million internet subscribers, with 42% from rural areas, supported by initiatives like BharatNet.
• Government Support: Policies like the Telecommunications Act 2023, Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, and BharatNet have attracted significant investments.

However, challenges such as high infrastructure costs, low average revenue per user (ARPU), and rural connectivity gaps persist. Below, we explore the latest deals and updates shaping India’s telecom infrastructure in 2025.

Major Deals in Telecom Infrastructure (2025)

1. Tejas Networks’ ₹7,492 Crore Deal with BSNL

Tejas Networks, an Indian telecom equipment manufacturer, secured a landmark ₹7,492 crore contract from Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) to deploy 100,000 4G and 5G sites across India. This deal, announced in 2023 and progressing through 2025, aims to bolster BSNL’s network infrastructure and enable its 5G rollout by mid-2025. The project aligns with the government’s “Make in India” initiative, promoting domestic manufacturing and reducing reliance on foreign vendors.

• Impact: This deal strengthens BSNL’s competitiveness against private players like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, supports India’s self-reliance goals, and creates thousands of jobs in the telecom equipment sector.

2. TCS’s ₹2,903 Crore BSNL Order

In May 2025, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) secured a ₹2,903 crore order from BSNL to facilitate the rollout of 4G services at 18,685 sites. This contract is part of BSNL’s broader push to deploy 84,000 new towers to enhance network coverage and prepare for 5G services. The initiative aims to break the duopoly of Jio and Airtel in the telecom market.

• Impact: The deal enhances BSNL’s infrastructure, improves connectivity in underserved areas, and supports the state-run operator’s revival efforts.

3. Data Infrastructure Trust Acquires ATC Telecom Infrastructure

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the acquisition of 100% share capital of ATC Telecom Infrastructure Pvt Ltd by Data Infrastructure Trust in 2025. This deal, with an enterprise value estimated at $1.5–2 billion, involves negotiations with global players like Canada’s Brookfield and US-based Stonepeak Partners. ATC’s India unit is a key player in tower infrastructure, and this acquisition strengthens the buyer’s position in the telecom tower market.

• Impact: The deal consolidates tower infrastructure, enhances operational efficiencies, and supports the expansion of 5G networks by providing robust backhaul infrastructure.

4. Bharti Airtel’s Multi-Billion Deal with Ericsson

Bharti Airtel awarded Ericsson a multi-year, multi-billion-dollar contract extension for 4G and 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) products in 2025. This deal focuses on expanding 5G coverage and capacity, addressing the growing demand for high-speed connectivity. Airtel, with 90 million 5G subscribers as of August 2024, aims to enhance network quality and monetize its 5G investments.

• Impact: The partnership strengthens Airtel’s 5G ecosystem, improves service quality, and supports enterprise solutions like private 5G networks for industries.

5. Vodafone Idea’s 5G Rollout Commitment

Vodafone Idea (Vi) announced the launch of its 5G network in Delhi-NCR starting May 15, 2025, with plans to extend coverage to 17 circles by August 2025. This follows the company’s “Vi Guarantee Program,” a recharge plan aimed at 4G and 5G smartphone users, signaling its impending 5G launch.

• Impact: Vi’s 5G rollout will intensify competition, potentially lowering data costs and improving connectivity for millions of subscribers.

Key Updates in Telecom Infrastructure (2025)

1. BharatNet Project Progress

The BharatNet project, aimed at connecting 250,000 gram panchayats with high-speed broadband, has achieved significant milestones by 2025. As of 2024, 86% of gram panchayats (214,679) were connected, with 692,082 km of optical fiber cable (OFC) laid and 1,169,571 Fibre-To-The-Home (FTTH) connections commissioned. The New Telecom Policy (NTP 2025), expected to be notified soon, plans to fiberize all gram panchayats and government institutions by 2030, with an annual investment of ₹1.5 lakh crore.

• Significance: BharatNet is bridging the urban-rural digital divide, enabling telemedicine, e-education, and digital payments in rural areas.

2. 5G Ecosystem Expansion

India’s 5G rollout, one of the fastest globally, continues to dominate infrastructure updates in 2025. Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel lead with 148 million and 90 million 5G subscribers, respectively, as of August 2024. The government’s focus on 6 GHz spectrum allocation is expected to enhance 5G quality and coverage, potentially saving $10 billion annually in deployment costs. Additionally, BSNL and Vodafone Idea are set to launch 5G services in 2025, intensifying competition.

• Significance: 5G is enabling smart cities, IoT, and autonomous ecosystems, with an estimated economic impact of $450 billion by 2040.

3. 6G Research and Patents

India has emerged as one of the top six nations in 6G patent filings, with 127 patents by May 2025. The Bharat 6G Mission, launched in 2023, aims to position India as a global leader in 6G technology, with potential economic benefits of $1 trillion by 2035. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has invested $35.14 million in 111 6G research projects, and India will host the World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA) in October 2024 to shape global 6G standards.

• Significance: India’s proactive 6G strategy enhances its global telecom influence and prepares the nation for next-generation connectivity.

4. Sustainability Initiatives

Sustainability is a key focus, with telecom operators adopting green technologies to reduce carbon footprints. Bharti Airtel targets 50% renewable energy by 2025, Vodafone Idea aims for 100% by 2030, and Reliance Jio plans to power 50% of its towers with renewables by 2025. Indus Towers and Bharti Infratel plan to deploy 50,000 and 30,000 green towers, respectively, by 2025.

• Significance: These efforts align with global sustainability goals, reduce operational costs, and enhance the sector’s environmental responsibility.

5. Regulatory Reforms

The Telecommunications Act 2023 has streamlined Right of Way (RoW) processes, reducing bureaucratic delays and facilitating faster infrastructure deployment. The TRAI’s “Rating of Properties for Digital Connectivity Regulations, 2024” mandates infrastructure upgrades in buildings to enhance connectivity. The DoT’s Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI), launched in May 2025, strengthens cyber fraud prevention by flagging risky mobile numbers.

• Significance: Regulatory reforms improve ease of doing business, enhance consumer protection, and support infrastructure expansion.

Challenges and Opportunities

Challenges

• High Infrastructure Costs: Telecom operators face significant capital expenditure for 5G and fiberization, with low ARPU limiting returns.
• Rural Connectivity Gaps: Despite BharatNet’s progress, remote areas like high-altitude terrains and Naxalite-affected regions remain underserved.
• OTT Contribution Debate: Telecom providers advocate for a fair-share mechanism to make large technology giants (LTGs) like WhatsApp and Netflix contribute to network costs.

Opportunities

• Job Creation: The sector is expected to generate 22 million jobs by 2025, driven by 5G, IoT, and AI.
• Data Center Growth: A 66% increase in data center capacity is projected by 2026, fueled by 5G and cloud computing.
• Global Leadership: India’s advancements in 6G and domestic manufacturing position it as a global telecom hub.

Future Outlook

India’s telecom infrastructure is poised for exponential growth in 2025 and beyond. The NTP 2025 aims to increase fixed-line broadband connections from 45 million to 100 million and create 1 million new jobs by 2030. The focus on 6G, satellite connectivity for remote areas, and AI-driven network operations will drive innovation. With continued government support and private investments, India is on track to become a global leader in telecommunications, fostering digital empowerment and economic growth.

Conclusion

The Indian telecom infrastructure sector in 2025 is marked by transformative deals, such as Tejas Networks’ and TCS’s contracts with BSNL, and strategic acquisitions like Data Infrastructure Trust’s purchase of ATC Telecom. Updates like the BharatNet project, 5G and 6G advancements, and sustainability initiatives are reshaping the sector. Despite challenges, the industry’s growth trajectory, supported by robust policies and investments, positions India as a global telecom powerhouse. Stay tuned for more updates as India continues to redefine connectivity in the digital age.