Lok Sabha Question No. 51 (STARRED), answered on 2023-12-06
Subject: Internet Accessibility across the Country
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Dushyant Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 51 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6 TH  DECEMBER, 2023

## INTERNET ACCESSIBILITY ACROSS THE COUNTRY

## *51. SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  employed  any  strategy  to  ensure  internet  accessibility  and affordability across the country particularly in rural and remote areas and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;
- (b) whether any initiative is being taken to bridge the digital divide in rural areas and promote internet penetration across the country;
- (c) if so, the details thereof, particularly in the State of Rajasthan; and
- (d) the details of the collaboration by the Government with local authorities for connecting the internet services and training programs to align with the evolving technology landscape?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (d) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT TO BE LAID ON THE TABLE OF LOK SABHA IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a)  TO  (d)  OF  THE  LOK  SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  *51/11 TH   FOR  6 TH DECEMBER, 2023 REGARDING 'INTERNET ACCESSIBILITY ACROSS THE COUNTRY.'

(a) to (d) Government has taken numerous initiatives to enhance internet connectivity in India. These include:-

- Ensuring adequate spectrum availability through open and transparent auction.
- Spectrum  Reforms  like  allowing  sharing,  trading  of  spectrum  and  rationalization  of Spectrum Usage Charge (SUC).
- Procedure for Standing Advisory Committee for Radio Frequency Allocation (SACFA) clearance for telecom towers eased significantly.
- Issuance of Indian Telegraph Right of Way Rules 2016 and amendment rules from time to time for faster and easier rollout of telecom infrastructure.
- Launch of Gati Shakti Sanchar Portal for faster Right of Way (RoW) approvals.

As a result, number of Base Trans-receivers Station (BTS) have increased from 6.49 lakhs in March 2014 to 25.42 lakhs in March 2023. The number of internet users have increased from 25.15 crore in March 2014 to 88.12 crore in March 2023. The cost of data has reduced drastically from Rs 269 per GB in March 2014 to Rs 9.94 per GB in March 2023. India has seen the fastest rollout of 5G services in the world with 3.99 lakhs Base Trans-receivers Station (BTS) deployed across around 738 districts. Median speed for mobile broadband has also improved from 1.30 Mbps in March 2014 to 75.80 Mbps in October 2023.

As  on  September  '2023,  out  of  6,44,131  villages,  around  6,16,300  number  of  villages  are having mobile connectivity in the country, including 42,733 villages having mobile connectivity in the State of Rajasthan.

Further, Government of India is implementing various schemes including 4G saturation project for  provision  of  4G  mobile  services  to  cover  all  uncovered  villages  of  the  country  including Rajasthan.

For Telecom related issues, State Broadband Committees are formed at the state level under the Chairpersonship of the Chief Secretary of that state, while at the District level, District Level Telecom Committees (DLTC) under the chairpersonship of District Collector/District Magistrate are formed.

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