Last updated: 7 October 2026. I will update this article as the event goes on.
India Mobile Congress 2026 began today at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi and runs until 10 October. It is the 10th edition of what the organizers call Asia’s largest digital technology forum. Most coverage will focus on exhibitors and speeches. Here I cover what ordinary phone and broadband users should watch, and test one big claim on my own phone before the 6G headlines begin: does the 5G we already have work inside our homes?
Table of Contents
IMC 2026 at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Dates | 7 to 10 October 2026 |
| Venue | Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi |
| Theme | Scale Without Boundaries |
| Organisers | Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and COAI |
| Global industry partner | GSMA |
The official website lists 150,000+ attendees, 500+ partners and exhibitors, 2,000+ technology use cases, 600+ startups and 700+ investor meetings. These are the organisers’ targets, not confirmed turnout.
What does “Scale Without Boundaries” mean?
Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said the theme is about taking India’s telecom innovations beyond its borders. His message is that India should export home-grown technology and help shape global standards, not only use them.
The four tracks
The official site groups the event into four themes:
- Srishti: 6G, AI-native networks, quantum communication, semiconductors.
- Samvardhan: satellite and direct-to-device connectivity, network APIs, gadgets and devices, telecom manufacturing.
- Sashakt: green telecom, e-waste, sustainable infrastructure.
- Suraksha: cybersecurity, spam and fraud, consumer protection, spectrum policy.
Dedicated sessions include the International 6G Symposium, Satcom Summit, Cybersecurity Summit, Quantum Summit and Smart Mobility Summit.
What could matter to you
1. Satellite connectivity. The Satcom and direct-to-device sessions are where phones connecting to satellites will be discussed. This matters most for people in areas with weak mobile signal.
2. Spam and fraud protection. Fake calls and SMS fraud affect almost everyone. The Suraksha track covers spam, fraud and consumer protection, and Scindia has pointed to the Sanchar Saathi portal as part of the digital security push.
3. 6G. The Bharat 6G Alliance is a partner of the event. Expect a lot of 6G talk, but you won’t buy a 6G plan this year. Treat announcements as roadmap news.
4. Gadgets and devices. The site lists devices as a focus area. [I will add any confirmed India launches here.]
The 5G number, and what I found at home
Scindia said nearly 500 million people got 5G access in two and a half years, backed by about ₹4.5 lakh crore of investment and roughly five lakh towers. These are the government’s figures, and they measure coverage. They don’t say how well 5G works inside a home, where most people use their phones.
TechMitra Point: I tested this on my own phone in Lucknow on 7 October 2026 using the TRAI MySpeed app.
| Where | Network | Download | Upload |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terrace | Jio 5G | 302.04 Mbps | 29.81 Mbps |
| Outside my home (11:17 AM) | Jio 5G | 113.85 Mbps | 13.49 Mbps |
| Outside my home (11:37 AM) | Jio 5G | 257.32 Mbps | 10.6 Mbps |
| Inside my home | Jio 5G | 1.38 Mbps | 2.7 Mbps |
| Terrace | BSNL 4G | 8.64 Mbps | 8.3 Mbps |
| Inside my home | BSNL 4G | 9.15 Mbps | 4.37 Mbps |
On Jio 5G, my terrace gave 302 Mbps, and just outside my home I got 114 and 257 Mbps in two tests 20 minutes apart. Inside the house, the same connection dropped to 1.38 Mbps. In my daily use it stays between roughly 1 and 3 Mbps. BSNL 4G gave around 9 Mbps both indoors and outdoors, so inside my house it beat Jio 5G by about six times.
My earlier TRAI MySpeed test on 9 July at the same location showed the same pattern: 0.81 Mbps on Jio 5G on my phone, even with full 5G bars showing, while my Jio AirFiber gave 101 Mbps on Wi-Fi.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Jio tests connected to Jio-hosted servers (Lucknow, and Delhi for the indoor test), while BSNL connected to TRAI’s Delhi server. Treat the Jio and BSNL comparison as a rough guide.
- The indoor Jio test had a latency of 38 ms, similar to the outdoor tests, so server distance doesn’t explain the gap.
- Walls are a likely reason for the weak indoor result, but I didn’t measure the 5G band, so I can’t prove it.
- This is one home in one area. Your building may be different, so test your own spot.
For everyday use inside my house, I rely on a home connection. Outdoors, Jio 5G can be excellent, but indoors it is weak at my place. Headline numbers tell you where a signal exists, not whether you can use it inside your home. Want to check your own? My TRAI MySpeed guide has the steps under “How to Run Your Own Test.”
Who is behind India Mobile Congress 2026
The partners list shows Ericsson as principal partner, with TCS, Nokia and Qualcomm as prime partners. Airtel, Jio and Vi are foundation partners, and BSNL is the India Connect partner. GSMA, the Bharat 6G Alliance, Hughes (satcom), Dixon and Meta are also listed.
Day-wise updates
Only confirmed announcements are added here, with sources.
- 7 October (Day 1): Event begins.
- 8 October (Day 2): The inauguration by PM Narendra Modi is reported for this day.
- 9 October (Day 3): To be updated.
- 10 October (Day 4): To be updated.
FAQ
When is India Mobile Congress 2026 ?
7 to 10 October 2026.
Where is it held?
Yashobhoomi (India International Convention and Expo Centre), Dwarka, New Delhi.
Who organises it?
The Department of Telecommunications and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI).
Can a regular visitor attend?
The official site has registration and pass details. It is mainly a business and industry event, so check the Plan Your Visit page for the current rules.
Is there an official app?
Yes, the official site links to an IMC 2026 app for Android and iOS.
Sources: India Mobile Congress official site, Newsonair: theme launch and Scindia’s statements, Global Governance News: final preparations.
Ayush Singhal is the founder and chief editor of TechMitra.in — a tech hub dedicated to simplifying gadgets, AI tools, and smart innovations for everyday users. With over 15 years of business experience, a Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) degree, and 5 years of hands-on experience running an electronics retail shop, Ayush brings real-world gadget knowledge and a genuine passion for emerging technology.
At TechMitra, he covers everything from AI breakthroughs and gadget reviews to app guides, mobile tips, and digital how-tos. His goal is simple — to make tech easy, useful, and enjoyable for everyone. When he’s not testing the latest devices or exploring AI trends, Ayush spends his time crafting tutorials that help readers make smarter digital choices.
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