Fraud through calls, messages a global threat: MoS Telecom

New Delhi, Fraudulent activities carried out through calls and messages have become a global threat, Minister of State for Telecom Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani said on Wednesday.

While speaking at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-26) in Doha, the minister presented India's approach to digital connectivity, emerging technologies and cybersecurity.

The minister said the next billion users will come from villages, islands and remotest corners and that, along with expanding telecom network coverage, trust in technology is equally important.


"Trust is equally important. Fraud through calls and messages is a global threat," he said.

The minister said India's fraud alert system has helped prevent suspected losses of around Rs 5,000 crore.

He said over the past decade, India built digital infrastructure at scale.

"Internet subscriptions have grown from 250 million to over 1.1 billion today. 5G reaches 99.9 per cent of our districts. Through BharatNet, our national rural network, over 220,000 village councils are broadband-ready, and we are investing a further USD 15 billion to expand it," Pemmasani said.