Department of Telecommunications leads a session on intelligent networks and quantum communication at ESTIC 2026

28 October 2026

The Department of Telecommunications, under the Ministry of Communications, led a thematic session on Intelligent Networks and Quantum Communication at the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The conclave runs from 27 to 29 October 2026 and was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Secretary Amit Agrawal said India has about 1.2 billion mobile connections and 5G service in nearly every district, and that the Telecommunication Technology Development Fund has supported more than 130 projects worth about Rs. 500 crore. The Technology Development and Investment Promotion Scheme, with a budget above Rs. 200 crore, has been renewed for five years until 2031. The panel was moderated by Rajkumar Upadhyay, Chief Executive Officer of C-DOT, and included representatives of the Bharat 6G Alliance and of IIT Kanpur and IIT Delhi. C-DOT and BSNL jointly showcased quantum communication and mission-critical services technologies, and the department's outreach stall featured the Sanchar Saathi and Samriddh Gram initiatives.