Govt takes measures for Digital Infrastructure Upgradation in Villages
Published: Apr 03, 2025
By TIOLCorplaws News Service
NEW DELHI, APR 03, 2025: THE BharatNet project is being implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages beyond GPs on demand basis across the country.
For providing a reliable network to ensure quality internet for the users, amended BharatNet program approved by the Union Cabinet on 04.08.2023 has inter-alia provisions to upgrade existing BharatNet network in ring architecture, focus on utilization of the network through BharatNet Udyamis, BSNL is appointed as the single Project Management Agency (PMA) under Amended BharatNet program for Operation & Maintenance of the entire network based on Service Level Agreement (SLA), Dedicated Network Operation Centre, etc.
State-UT/wise details of FTTH connections provided under BharatNet is attached as Annexure-I.
Government of India launched National Broadband Mission 2.0 on January 17, 2025, with the vision of fast-tracking the rapid expansion of digital communications infrastructure, bridging the digital divide and fostering digital empowerment and inclusion, ensuring High-Speed Broadband and Meaningful Connectivity for all.
MeitY initiated Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) to ensure/provide digital literacy in 6 crore rural households (one person per household) nationwide. The Scheme was implemented by CSC e-Governance Services India Limited through Common Service Centres (CSCs) present at Gram Panchayats level across the country. As against 6 crore, 6.39 crore individuals were trained. The training & certification under the scheme was officially concluded on March 31 , 2024. The States/UTs wise achievement is given as Annexure-II.
The National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) conducted the 'Comprehensive Annual Modular Survey' (CAMS) in its 79th round (July, 2022 to June, 2023). As per the survey, among the persons aged 15-24 years, around 78.4 percent reported execution of skill of 'sending messages (e.g., e-mail, messaging service, SMS) with attached files (e.g., documents, pictures, video)'. Further, about 94.2 percent of rural households and about 97.1 percent of urban households possess telephone and/or mobile phone. From the said report, given the significant rise in smart-phone usage, internet penetration, and digital engagement in rural areas, the objectives of the scheme were successfully achieved.
Impact analysis of the PMGDISHA scheme was carried out by three agencies namely IIT Delhi, Council for Social Development (CSD) and Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA). The gist of the evaluation report is that the PMGDISHA is a unique scheme due to its large scale and the use of remotely proctored examinations. The training provided under PMGDISHA has had a significant impact on the adoption of Information & Communication Technology (ICT) and other forms of digital media. It has benefited its participants by enabling their access to a wide range of information and services for various purposes, helping to reduce the overall digital divide in the country.
The National Broadband Mission (NBM) was launched by the government on 17th December 2019 with a vision to enable fast-track growth of digital communications infrastructure, bridge the digital divide for digital empowerment and inclusion; and provide affordable and universal access to broadband for all. The NBM addresses the major bottleneck of Right of Way (RoW) issues, enabling faster telecom infrastructure deployment across the country. Key initiative under NBM are:
(i) Centralized Right of Way (RoW) Portal GatiShakti Sanchar.
(ii) Telecommunication Right of Way Rules, 2024
(iii) 'Call Before u Dig' (CBuD) mobile app
(iv) The PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (NMP) Platform
Progress under the National Broadband Mission (NBM) 1.0 since the launch
- No. of broadband subscribers increased from 66 crores to 94.49 crores.
- Per capita average monthly wireless data consumption increased from 10 GB to 21.10 GB.
- The median mobile broadband download speed witnessed a substantial increase, rising from 10.71 Mbps in 2019 to an impressive 144.33 Mbps in February 2025. Similarly, the median fixed broadband download speed increased from 29.25 Mbps in 2019 to 61.66 Mbps in February 2025, according to Ookla's Speedtest Global Index.
- Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) length increased from 19.35 lakh route km to 42.13 lakh route km.
- Mobile towers increased from 5.37 lakh to 8.23 lakh.
- Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) increased from 21.80 lakh to 29.97 lakhs including 4.69 lakh 5G BTSs.
- As of March 25, 2025, 206 State Broadband Committee (SBC) meetings were held for the effective implementation of the mission and proliferation of broadband across the country.
- Capacity-building conferences for 5G use cases were held in the majority of States/UTs focussing on various sectors viz. health, education, Industry 4.0 and public safety domains.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology Jitin Prasada in Lok Sabha yesterday.
