Lok Sabha Question No. 5194 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-05
Subject: Mobile Phone Penetration
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: MUTHAMSETTI SRINIVASA RAO (AVNTHI)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5194 TO BE ANSWERED ON 5 TH   APRIL, 2017

## MOBILE PHONE PENETRATION

5194. SHRI MUTHAMSETTI SRINIVASA RAO (AVANTHI):

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the abolition of mobile excise tax in 2008 has increased the mobile penetration by 40 per cent so far and if so,  the details thereof, State/UT-wise;
- (b) whether the Government would consider this idea to increase mobile penetration in the rural areas and semi-urban areas and if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard;
- (c) whether  Government  proposes  to  promote  free  or  low  cost  internet  access  to  community centres, schools, etc.;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard along with the time by which the said proposal is likely to be implemented; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS & MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a) Yes,  Madam.  Mobile  penetration  in  India  has  increased  by  340.82  %  over  the  period  April 2008 to January 2017.  The Service Area wise percentage increase in mobile subscribers in India during April 2008 to January 2017 is annexed.
- (b) It  is  estimated  that  there  are  about  55,000  villages  in  the  country  that  do  not  have  mobile coverage.  Various  schemes  are  being  implemented  with  financial  support  from  Universal  Service Obligation Fund (USOF) for provision of telecom services in commercially unviable rural and remote areas of the country. Mobile coverage to uncovered villages is planned to be provided in a phased manner,  subject  to  availability  of  financial  resources.  The  Government  has  emphasized  the expansion  of  mobile  coverage  in  Left  Wing  Extremism  (LWE)  areas,  North-Eastern  Region, Himalayan States and Islands with financial support from Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).
- (c) to (e) There  is no  specific  proposal.  However,  the  Government  is  implementing  the BharatNet  programme  to  create  network  infrastructure  for  providing  Broadband  connectivity  to  all Gram Panchayats (GPs) (approx. 2,50,000) in the country. The project is  being  implemented  in  a phased manner, with the phase-I aiming to cover 1,00,000 GPs. Remaining GPs are targeted to be covered in phase-II, and the work is expected  to be completed by December, 2018.

Also,  public  sector  units  like  BSNL  are  currently  offering  internet  access  to  consumers  in  its service area, at competitive rates. In respect of wired internet access, among other plans, BSNL is offering  unlimited  internet  access  @  Rs.  249/per  month.  BSNL  is  also  offering  unlimited  internet access over mobile @ Rs. 339/- for 28 days.

## Contd…2/-

## Annexure

## Service area wise percentage increase in mobile telephone connections from 01.04.2008 to 31.01.2017

|        |                  | Total mobile telephone connections (in million)   | Total mobile telephone connections (in million)   | %increase in mobile telephone connections   |
|--------|------------------|---------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------|
| Sr.No. | Service area     | 01.04.2008                                        | 31.01.2017                                        |                                             |
| 1      | Andhra Pradesh   | 20.58                                             | 83.39                                             | 305.25                                      |
| 2      | Assam            | 3.91                                              | 21.28                                             | 443.84                                      |
| 3      | Bihar            | 11.51                                             | 83.09                                             | 621.88                                      |
| 4      | Gujarat          | 16.97                                             | 70.14                                             | 313.36                                      |
| 5      | Haryana          | 6.40                                              | 24.46                                             | 282.14                                      |
| 6      | Himachal Pradesh | 2.30                                              | 10.10                                             | 339.32                                      |
| 7      | Jammu & Kashmir  | 2.20                                              | 11.49                                             | 421.80                                      |
| 8      | Karnataka        | 17.04                                             | 68.57                                             | 302.29                                      |
| 9      | Kerala           | 11.70                                             | 38.40                                             | 228.23                                      |
| 10     | Madhya Pradesh   | 13.19                                             | 68.38                                             | 418.35                                      |
| 11     | Maharashtra      | 21.08                                             | 92.86                                             | 340.53                                      |
| 12     | North East       | 2.12                                              | 12.61                                             | 495.43                                      |
| 13     | Odisha           | 5.18                                              | 33.58                                             | 548.33                                      |
| 14     | Punjab           | 11.72                                             | 37.16                                             | 217.21                                      |
| 15     | Rajasthan        | 13.59                                             | 65.88                                             | 384.89                                      |
| 16     | Tamil Nadu       | 25.35                                             | 87.82                                             | 246.51                                      |
| 17     | Uttar Pradesh    | 29.05                                             | 168.01                                            | 478.30                                      |
| 18     | West Bengal      | 9.44                                              | 56.75                                             | 501.22                                      |
| 19     | Kolkata          | 7.84                                              | 28.78                                             | 266.95                                      |
| 20     | Delhi            | 16.28                                             | 52.19                                             | 220.50                                      |
| 21     | Mumbai           | 13.63                                             | 35.94                                             | 163.67                                      |
|        | Total            | 261.08                                            | 1150.89                                           | 340.82                                      |

*************************