Lok Sabha Question No. 4424 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-20
Subject: New National Telecom Policy
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Smt. Bharti Pardhi, Shri V K Sreekandan, Shri Shrirang Appa Chandu Barne, Shri Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4424 ANSWERED ON 20 TH  AUGUST, 2025

## NEW NATIONAL TELECOM POLICY

## 4424.   SHRI V K SREEKANDAN:

SHRI SHRIRANG APPA CHANDU BARNE:

SHRI SANJAY HARIBHAU JADHAV:

SMT. BHARTI PARDHI:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is currently preparing the draft of a new National Telecom Policy which is likely to replace the National Digital Communications Policy (NDCP), 2018 and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the NDCP, 2018 had a target to provide universal broadband connectivity at 50 Mbps to every citizen by the year 2022 and if so, the details thereof along with the current status of the said target;

(c) the  manner  in  which  the  new  policy  modifies  or  evolves  these  ambitious  broadband penetration targets particularly regarding fixed-line broadband access for households;

(d) whether the NDCP, 2018 had a target of setting up 1 crore public Wi-Fi hotspots by the year 2022 while the new draft reportedly aims to set up 10 lakh hotspots;

(e) if  so,  the  reasons  for  the  said  significant  reduction  along  with  the  revised  strategy  for providing public Wi-Fi access;

(f) whether it is also true that the Government has set a target of covering 90% of the population with 5G by 2030 and 100% with 4G and if so, the details thereof; and

(g) whether it is also true that the towers that are connected to fiber to telecom networks are sought to be increased from 46% to 80% and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (g) Yes, the Government of India is in the process of drafting the National Telecom Policy (NTP), 2025 which will have many  aspirational goals related to connectivity, domestic manufacturing, security, R&D etc. in telecom sector. The National Digital Communications Policy (NDCP), 2018 had set certain aspirational goals such as providing universal broadband connectivity at 50 Mbps to every citizen and creating 1 crore public Wi-Fi hotspots. Broadband subscribers have increased to 94.41 crore in March 2025 from 48.1 crore in September, 2018. The median wireless and fixed broadband speeds have improved to 133.51 Mpbs and 59.51 Mbps  respectively in  June, 2025. No. of wireline subscribers have increased to  3.7 crore in March, 2025 from 2.12 crore in September, 2018. Further, 4,08, 156 Wi-Fi hotspots have been installed across the country.

The National Telecom Policy, 2025 is currently in the draft stage, and the various targets under consideration, including those relating to broadband penetration, public Wi-Fi expansion, 4G and 5G coverage, and fiberization of telecom towers, are yet to be finalised. The various targets are being deliberated in the context of prevailing sectoral developments, emerging technology evolution, infrastructure readiness, and the need to balance aspiration with feasibility.

The policy's overall goal will be to transform India into a telecom product nation that is driven by innovation and that universally connects its citizens meaningfully, securely and sustainably.

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