Lok Sabha Question No. 545 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Telecom Ecosystem
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Smt. Poonamben Hematbhai Maadam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 545 ANSWERED ON 3 RD  DECEMBER, 2025

## TELECOM ECOSYSTEM

## 545. SMT. POONAMBEN HEMATBHAI MAADAM:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  undertaken  measures  to  strengthen  the  telecom  ecosystem  in  the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether efforts are being made to expand telecom connectivity in rural and remote areas to ensure equitable digital access across the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): Yes, the Government has undertaken several measures to strengthen the telecom sector in the country which has led to the growth of telecom sector. These measures include Rationalization of Adjusted Gross Revenue; Rationalization of Bank Guarantees (BGs); Rationalization of interest rates and removal of penalties; Dispensing with the requirement of BGs (for auctions held after 15.09.2021) to secure instalment payments;  Permission  for  surrender  of  spectrum  after  10  years  (in  future  auctions);  Dispensing  with  the requirement  of  Spectrum  Usage  Charge  (SUC)  for  spectrum  acquired  in  spectrum  auctions  held  after 15.09.2021; Removal of additional SUC of 0.5% for spectrum sharing; Permission for 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in telecom sector under automatic route subject to safeguards; Requirement of licenses under 1953 Customs Notification for wireless equipment replaced with self-declaration; Replacement of paper Customer Acquisition Forms with digital storage of data;  Easing Standing Advisory Committee for Radio Frequency Allocation ( SACFA) clearance for telecom towers and increase in tenure of spectrum from 20 to 30 years.

This has led to significant growth in its digital infrastructure over the years. The optical fiber cable network has expanded from 17.5 lakh km in March 2018 to 42.36 lakh km in September 2025, while the number of Base Transceiver Stations has increased from 17.3 lakh in March 2018 to 31.4 lakh in October 2025. As of October 2025, out of 6,44,131 villages in India, 6,34,019 are covered with mobile connectivity, of which 6,30,676 have 4G services. Broadband subscriptions have risen sharply from 48 crore in September 2018 to 98 crore in June 2025. Additionally, 3.80 lakh PM-WANI Wi-Fi hotspots have been installed across the country as of 31 October 2025. Data consumption has also grown substantially, increasing from 8.32 GB per subscriber per month in September 2018 to 25.24 GB per subscriber per month in September 2025, while the average wireless data tariff has declined from ₹10.91 per GB to ₹8.27 during the same period.

Further, to ensure equitable digital access across the country the Government is implementing various schemes under Digital Bharat Nidhi such as 4G saturation projects  and  Amended  BharatNet Program to expand digital connectivity in rural and remote areas.

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