India Mobile Congress 2026 is set to begin on October 7 at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi, bringing telecom operators, technology companies, policymakers, startups and enterprise technology leaders together for four days of discussions and demonstrations around the future of connectivity.
The 10th edition of the event will run from October 7 to October 10 and is being held under the theme “Scale Without Boundaries”. The official programme spans 5G, 6G, AI-native telecom networks, intelligent RAN, Open RAN, satellite communications, cybersecurity, semiconductors, cloud and edge computing, network APIs and autonomous networks.
5G Monetisation Moves Beyond Connectivity
One of the important themes at IMC 2026 will be what comes after India’s rapid 5G network rollout. The focus is increasingly shifting from coverage and subscriber adoption towards how operators can generate new revenue from 5G infrastructure.
The GSMA programme includes a dedicated session on 5G monetisation models and the challenges preventing operators from capturing more value from next-generation networks. Enterprise connectivity, network APIs, cloud integration and specialised services are expected to form part of that broader discussion.
This is particularly relevant for Indian operators as they explore enterprise 5G, private networks, fixed wireless access and other services beyond conventional mobile connectivity.
6G and Intelligent Networks Take Centre Stage
While 5G remains commercially important, IMC 2026 is already looking towards the next generation of mobile networks.
The official programme includes discussions around intelligent infrastructure for 6G, 6G intelligent RAN and AI-native telecom networks. These sessions are expected to examine how artificial intelligence, automation and advanced network architectures could change the way future telecom networks are designed and operated.
The focus on 6G also reflects a wider shift in the industry. Rather than treating 6G simply as a faster version of 5G, industry discussions are increasingly connecting it with AI, autonomous networks, edge computing and new digital infrastructure models.
AI-Native Telecom Networks Become a Major Theme
Artificial intelligence is one of the strongest themes running through the IMC 2026 programme.
The GSMA has scheduled a session titled “AI-Native Telecom Networks: Intelligence, Automation and Accountability”, covering both the use of AI inside telecom networks and the role telecom infrastructure can play in making AI services accessible across the economy.
AI can be applied to areas such as predictive network maintenance, service assurance, fraud detection, cybersecurity and energy optimisation. At the same time, telecom networks will increasingly need to support cloud and AI workloads across enterprises, data centres and edge environments.
This makes the relationship between telecom infrastructure and AI one of the more important areas to watch during this year’s event.
Satellite Communications and Non-Terrestrial Networks
Satellite connectivity is another major area on the IMC 2026 agenda.
The conference programme includes sessions covering satellite communications and the policy foundation for SatCom, while the wider IMC programme lists non-terrestrial networks among its key tracks.
India’s satellite connectivity market is entering a more important phase as satellite operators, telecom companies and technology providers explore ways to extend connectivity beyond traditional terrestrial networks.
The discussions at IMC could therefore provide useful signals about the direction of India’s satellite telecom ecosystem, including policy, technology and potential integration with conventional mobile networks.
Open RAN, Cloud and Network APIs
IMC 2026 is also putting considerable attention on the technology infrastructure behind future networks.
Open RAN, cloud and edge computing, autonomous networks and network APIs are all listed among the official conference tracks. Network APIs are particularly relevant because they allow developers and enterprises to access selected capabilities of telecom networks through standardised interfaces.
The GSMA programme includes discussions around Open Gateway and network APIs, including their potential to create new enterprise services and monetisation opportunities for operators.
For Indian telecom companies, this could become an important part of the broader effort to turn network infrastructure into a platform for enterprise applications rather than simply a connectivity layer.
Jio, Airtel and Industry Leaders to Attend
The event brings together senior representatives from India’s telecom and technology ecosystem.
The official IMC speaker list includes Reliance Jio Chairman Akash Ambani, Bharti Enterprises Founder and Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal, Aditya Birla Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla, Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Minister of State for Communications Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani and Telecom Secretary Amit Agrawal.
The presence of senior executives and policymakers makes IMC an important venue for tracking announcements around network investment, enterprise services, technology partnerships, spectrum, digital infrastructure and future telecom policy.
However, individual announcements should be treated as developments only once the respective companies or authorities formally disclose them.
What to Watch From October 7
For telecom industry watchers, the most important developments may not necessarily come from the headline conference sessions. Product demonstrations, technology partnerships, enterprise deals and operator announcements could provide more immediate news value during the four-day event.
Some areas worth watching include 5G monetisation, private and enterprise networks, satellite connectivity, AI-powered network operations, 6G research, Open RAN, network APIs and semiconductor-related developments.
The GSMA pavilion will also showcase technologies including Open Gateway, quantum-safe cybersecurity and a 6G-focused Tokyo Accord initiative. A Jio Quantum demonstration is listed around quantum-safe authentication, post-quantum cryptography and AI-powered enterprise security.
For TelecomByte, these areas could produce multiple stories during the event rather than a single broad IMC report.
Why IMC 2026 Matters for India’s Telecom Sector
India Mobile Congress has evolved beyond a traditional mobile industry exhibition. The 2026 programme reflects how telecom is increasingly being connected with AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, semiconductors, enterprise technology and satellite communications.
The central question is no longer simply how India expands mobile connectivity. The industry is now looking at how those networks can become part of a larger digital infrastructure supporting businesses, AI applications, cloud services and emerging technologies.
With IMC 2026 beginning on October 7, the event is likely to become an important source of announcements and industry signals over the coming week. The first day should provide the clearest indication of which technologies, partnerships and policy issues will dominate discussions through the rest of the event.
