IMC 2026: Akash Ambani calls PM Modi guiding light for India's digital future
Synopsis
At IMC 2026, Akash Ambani positioned Jio not just as a telecom operator but as a sovereign technology creator — unveiling a 1,600-satellite LEO constellation with 23 ground stations, all designed and operated within India. The move is a direct challenge to global satellite internet players and signals Jio's most ambitious infrastructure bet yet.
Key Takeaways
Akash Ambani called PM Narendra Modi a 'guiding light' for India's digital industry at IMC 2026 on 8 October 2026 .
Jio unveiled a 'sovereign satellite connectivity' plan involving approximately 1,600 LEO satellites and 23 ground stations across India.
PM Modi inaugurated the 10th edition of IMC , noting 5G coverage now spans every district with over 5.5 lakh base stations .
Mobile internet speeds in India are now 10 times higher than in 2022 , according to the Prime Minister.
IMC 2026 runs from 7–10 October 2026 , organised by the Department of Telecommunications and COAI .
Reliance Jio Infocomm Chairman Akash Ambani on Thursday, 8 October 2026, praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a 'guiding light' for the digital industry, speaking on the sidelines of the Indian Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026 in New Delhi. His remarks came as Jio marked a decade of operations and unveiled an ambitious satellite connectivity initiative at the flagship telecom event.
Ambani's Message on Technology Leadership
Addressing reporters at the sidelines of the event, Ambani underlined Jio's strategic pivot from being a technology consumer to a technology creator. 'His mission for the industry truly motivates us and pushes us in ways never before. The biggest message was to ensure we become a technology creator. That is the path Jio has been on,' he said.
He also described the moment as significant for the company, noting that Jio had just crossed the milestone of 10 years in operation — a journey that has reshaped India's telecom landscape since its launch disrupted the market with low-cost data services.
Jio's Satellite Connectivity Push
At the Congress, Jio presented its satellite internet vision under the banner of 'sovereign satellite connectivity' — a framework designed to keep the entire value chain within India, encompassing design, engineering, integration, launch, and operations.
The company is working on a proposed constellation of approximately 1,600 low earth orbit (LEO) satellites and plans to establish 23 ground stations across India. The initiative targets areas where deploying terrestrial networks remains commercially or geographically challenging, potentially extending broadband access to remote and underserved regions.
Notably, the 'sovereign' framing positions Jio's satellite play as a strategic infrastructure move — not just a commercial product — at a time when global players including SpaceX's Starlink are seeking regulatory approvals to operate in India.
PM Modi's IMC Inauguration Address
Earlier on the same day, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the 10th edition of IMC, describing the transformation of India's telecom sector as one that has moved well beyond networks and spectrum. 'Mobile phone has become a tool of good governance,' he said.
Modi highlighted that 5G connectivity has now reached every district in India, backed by over 5.5 lakh base stations, and that mobile internet speeds are 10 times higher than they were in 2022. The remarks align with the Centre's broader digital public infrastructure narrative, which has gained international attention at forums such as the G20.
About IMC 2026
The 10th edition of the Indian Mobile Congress — jointly organised by the Department of Telecommunications and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) — is being held from 7 to 10 October 2026 in New Delhi. The annual event serves as the country's premier platform for telecom and digital technology industry stakeholders to showcase innovation and engage with policy.
With Jio's satellite ambitions now formally in public view and the government reinforcing its digital governance push, the next phase of India's connectivity story will hinge on how quickly regulatory frameworks catch up with technological ambition.
Point of View
But the more consequential signal at IMC 2026 is Jio's 'sovereign satellite connectivity' framing — a deliberate positioning that places domestic control of the entire satellite stack above pure commercial logic. This is a direct counter-narrative to global operators like Starlink seeking Indian market access, and it hands the government a politically convenient argument to favour homegrown infrastructure in licensing decisions. The question is whether 1,600 LEO satellites and 23 ground stations can be operationalised on a timeline that actually beats foreign competition to market — or whether 'sovereign' becomes a protectionist shield rather than a technological achievement.
NationPress
8 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Akash Ambani say about PM Modi at IMC 2026?
Reliance Jio Infocomm Chairman Akash Ambani called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a 'guiding light' for the digital industry at IMC 2026 on 8 October 2026. He said Modi's vision motivates Jio to become a technology creator rather than a consumer.
What is Jio's satellite connectivity plan announced at IMC 2026?
Jio announced plans for a constellation of approximately 1,600 low earth orbit (LEO) satellites and 23 ground stations across India, branded as 'sovereign satellite connectivity'. The initiative aims to extend broadband access to areas where terrestrial networks are difficult to deploy, with the entire value chain — from design to operations — kept within India.
What did PM Modi say at the IMC 2026 inauguration?
Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the 10th edition of the Indian Mobile Congress and stated that 5G connectivity now covers every district in India, supported by over 5.5 lakh base stations. He also said mobile internet speeds are 10 times higher than in 2022 and described the mobile phone as a tool of good governance.
What is the Indian Mobile Congress 2026?
The Indian Mobile Congress is India's largest telecom and digital technology event, jointly organised by the Department of Telecommunications and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI). The 10th edition is being held from 7 to 10 October 2026 in New Delhi.
Why is Jio's 'sovereign satellite connectivity' significant?
The 'sovereign' branding signals Jio's intent to control every layer of its satellite internet service domestically, from design and engineering to launch and operations. This is strategically significant as global players such as SpaceX's Starlink are seeking regulatory approvals to operate in India, making domestic alternatives a key policy and competitive consideration.
