Lok Sabha Question No. 1702 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-30
Subject: Digital and Broadband Connectivity
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Dr. Shashi Tharoor

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1702 ANSWERED ON 30 TH  JULY, 2025

## DIGITAL AND BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY

## 1702.   DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  current  percentage  of  the  targeted  villages  that  have  been  successfully upgraded to 4G services;
- (b) the details of the projected timeline for achieving 100% 4G coverage in the villages that remain uncovered under the proposed 4G services rollout;
- (c) the details of the improvements in network speed and overall connectivity observed in rural areas post-upgrade;
- (d) whether these improvements penetrate all rungs of society, especially the school children, who are increasingly getting involved in accessing digital education, especially with the new aim of rural broadband connectivity for rural schools; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)

(a) to (e) As of May 2025, out of 6,44,131 villages in the country  (as per data of Registrar General of India), 6,29,027 villages i.e. 97.65% villages are covered with mobile connectivity and out of these, 6,23,512 villages i.e. 96.80% villages have 4G mobile connectivity.

Government, through funding from Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), is implementing various schemes for provision of high-speed internet/data and 4G mobile services in the rural, remote and border areas of the country. As on June 2025, 18,739 4G sites (including 1276 sites upgraded to 4G) have been commissioned under DBN funded mobile schemes, covering 26,672 villages/locations in the country.

BharatNet project is being implemented in a phased manner to provide connectivity to all the Gram Panchayats (GPs) for broadband services, such as Wi-Fi Hotspots, Fibre to the Home (FTTH) connections  etc.  Further,  the  Union  Cabinet  has  approved  Amended  BharatNet  Program  for provisioning of connectivity to all GPs in the country in ring topology including upgrading existing network and connectivity to about 3.8 Lakh non-GP villages on demand basis. As of June 2025, 2,14,325 GPs have been made service ready under BharatNet project in the country. So far, 13,01,193 Fiber to the Home (FTTH) connections have been provided under BharatNet project in the country, including the rural schools.

The Government of India, as part of the Budget 2025, has announced provision of broadband connectivity to all Government secondary schools in rural areas under BharatNet project to enhance digital infrastructure in remote areas. An advisory was issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy to all the States & UTs to enter into an MoU/ Agreement with BSNL and provide FTTH Internet connection to all the Government Schools which have computing devices. States/UTs have been advised  that  the  Internet  Charges  can  be  met  from  recurring  charges  being  released  under Samagra Shiksha or can be met from any other State/UT Government funds.

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