V&D forum sets telecom agenda for inclusive digital growth

At TLF 2025, industry leaders laid the foundation for a sustainable, inclusive digital future powered by telecom, innovation, and grassroots reach.

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India's leading communication magazine, Voice&Data hosted its 24th Telecom Leadership Forum (TLF) in New Delhi. The event drew over 250 policymakers, business leaders, and technology professionals from diverse sectors, including telecommunications, startups, academia, enterprises, and influencers.

The year's edition focused on Empowering Sustainable Digital Economic Growth, covering aspects such as technology trends beyond 5G, sustainable infrastructure, rural connectivity, and CPaaS. The TLF 2025 also outlined the road ahead for India's telecom sector in building a digitally inclusive and resilient Bharat.

Delivering the welcome address, Pradeep Gupta, Chairman of the CyberMedia Group, positioned telecom as India’s “meta-resource”—foundational not only for business but for national progress. He urged the sector to focus beyond novelty and invest in long-term, inclusive digital growth that touches every citizen. “We must evaluate telecom’s impact by the changes it enables in people's lives,” he said, adding that TLF remains a forum to celebrate leadership that aligns business success with national priorities.

BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE: BHARAT TAKES CENTRE STAGE

The inaugural session on digital infrastructure for a connected Bharat brought together thought leaders like Ambikha Khurana, Chief Regulatory and Corporate Affairs Officer of Vodafone Idea; Brig (Rtd) Anil Tandon, Director General of Broadband India Forum; Dr Devesh Tyagi, CEO of NIXI; Pankaj Mohindroo, Chairman of ICEA; and Shyam Mardikar, Group CTO of Reliance Jio Infocomm. The session emphasised that India's digital divide is no longer just rural versus urban, but rather structural, linked to affordability, device access, and digital literacy.

The TLF 2025 highlighted a shift from basic connectivity to intelligent networks that power industry, empower citizens, and support national priorities.