Overview

India’s digital transformation has entered a decisive phase. Telecom networks today underpin not only connectivity, but also economic growth, national competitiveness and societal inclusion. With large-scale 5G deployments underway, early global momentum around the next generation and the increasing convergence of telecom with artificial intelligence, quantum technologies and cloud platforms, India stands at a unique inflection point in its Techade.

The next phase of growth will depend on how effectively policy, technology and industry action converge — ensuring that digital expansion is innovative, inclusive, secure and trusted. In this context, a structured, policy-driven dialogue among key stakeholders is essential to shape India’s digital future.

The COAI DIGICOM SUMMIT 2026, serves as a high-level platform bringing together senior leadership from the Government, telecom service providers, technology companies, standards bodies, academia, start-ups and the broader digital ecosystem to delve on these issues and present workable solutions while keeping in pace with the rapidly evolving ecosystem.

Anchored in the theme “India’s Techade: Accelerating and Shaping the Digital Future”, the Summit is designed around four focused sessions, each addressing a critical pillar of India’s digital ambitions.

Building Intelligent, Resilient and Scalable Networks

The session will examine how emerging technologies — particularly AI — are reshaping network architecture, operations and service delivery. Focus would be on enhancing network efficiency and automation, while also addressing end-to-end security, cyber resilience and trust in increasingly complex and interconnected networks so as to strengthen security-by-design, improve threat detection and response, support sustainability goals and enhance the overall performance, reliability and resilience of India’s digital infrastructure.

Tackling Spam and digital frauds through shared Ecosystem policy and regulatory aspects

This session will examine the policy and regulatory frameworks required to sustain India’s digital momentum. Discussions will focus on enabling investment, fostering innovation, ensuring regulatory certainty and strengthening trust and consumer protection in an increasingly digital economy. The session will highlight the role of collaborative policymaking in supporting scalable, resilient and trusted digital networks.

Shaping the Next Generation of Connectivity

Looking beyond 5G, this session will focus on India’s contributions towards shaping the emerging 6G ecosystem. Key discussions will include India’s efforts in standards development, testbeds, spectrum preparedness and readiness towards the world radio conference (WRC) and research collaborations. The session will emphasise how early engagement can position India as a global contributor and thought leader in next-generation communications.

Strengthening India's digital infrastructure value chain

This session will spotlight India’s efforts to strengthen indigenous telecom manufacturing and innovation capabilities. Discussions will cover ecosystem development, supply-chain resilience, investment enablers and the role of manufacturing in supporting both domestic deployment and global competitiveness. The session will also examine how manufacturing aligns with India’s broader digital and economic objectives.

Esteemed Guests

Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar

Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Government of India

Shri Anil Kumar Lahoti

Chairman, TRAI

Mr. Mahendra Nahata

Director, Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd.

Mr. Abhijit Kishore

Chief Executive Officer, Vodafone Idea and Chairperson, COAI

Mr. Shashwat Sharma

MD & CEO, Bharti Airtel

Shri Manish Sinha

Member F, DoT

Shri Deb Kumar Chakrabarti

Member S, DoT

Shri Atul Kumar Chaudhary

Secretary, TRAI

Dr. R.K. Upadhyay

CEO, C-DoT

Shri Anil Kr. Bhardwaj

DDG - SE, DoT

Shri Sanjeev Kr. Sharma

DDG - AI & DIU, DoT

Mr. Randeep Sekhon

CTO, Bharti Airtel

Mr. Rahul Vatts

Chief Regulatory Officer, Bharti Airtel and Vice Chairperson, COAI

Dr. Ravi Gandhi

President & Chief Regulatory Officer, Reliance Retail & Reliance Jio

Ms. Ambika Khurana

Chief Regulatory & Corporate Affairs Officer, Vodafone Idea

Mr. Magnus Ewerbring

CTO - APAC, Ericsson

Mr. Julian Gorman

Head of APAC, GSMA

Mr. Nitin Bansal

Managing Director, Ericsson India

Mr. U.K. Srivastava

President - Regulatory Policy, Reliance Jio

Ms. Jeanette Whyte

Head of Public Policy APAC, GSMA

Ms. Radhika Gupta

Sr. Director & Head of Data Acquisition, GSMA

Mr. Debashish Chakraborty

Senior Director - Advocacy and Industry Engagement, GSMA

Mr. Sajan Paul

General Manager – HPE Networking, India

Mr. Vinay Shrivastava

Chair - Technology & Standards WG, 5GIF

Dr. Punit Rathod

Sr. Lead - Technical Standards, Qualcomm

Mr. Arindam Das

Director - Government Affairs, Qualcomm

Mr. Sandeep Sharma

Head of Emerging Technologies - Network Services, Tech Mahindra

Mr. Rajiv Makhni

Technology Journalist, Founder & CEO, RM Media Ltd.

Mr. Jez Stanley

First Secretary, British High Commission

Dr. Kiran Kumar Kuchi

Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Hyderabad

Mr. Rahul Hakeem

Partner, KPMG

Time	Sessions
0845 - 0930 hrs	Welcome & Registration
0930 - 1130 hrs	Inaugural Session
1130 - 1230 hrs	Session 1: Building Intelligent, Resilient and Scalable Networks
1230 - 1330 hrs	Session 2: Tackling Spam and Digital Frauds through Shared Ecosystem Policy and Regulatory Aspects
1330 - 1430 hrs	Lunch
1430 - 1530 hrs	Session 3: Shaping the Next Generation of Connectivity
1530 - 1630 hrs	Session 4: Strengthening India's Digital Infrastructure Value Chain

Overview

Building Intelligent, Resilient and Scalable Networks

Tackling Spam and digital frauds through shared Ecosystem policy and regulatory aspects

Shaping the Next Generation of Connectivity

Strengthening India's digital infrastructure value chain

Key Focus Areas

Program

Time

Sessions

0845 - 0930 hrs

Welcome & Registration

0930 - 1130 hrs

Inaugural Session

1130 - 1230 hrs

Session 1: Building Intelligent, Resilient and Scalable Networks

1230 - 1330 hrs

Session 2: Tackling Spam and Digital Frauds through Shared Ecosystem Policy and Regulatory Aspects

1330 - 1430 hrs

Lunch

1430 - 1530 hrs

Session 3: Shaping the Next Generation of Connectivity

1530 - 1630 hrs

Session 4: Strengthening India's Digital Infrastructure Value Chain