The Government of India has launched several projects under the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) to enhance telecommunication connectivity, particularly in remote and underserved regions. Key initiatives include the Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan (CTDP) to improve mobile connectivity in the North Eastern Region, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep Islands, with a budget of over ?4,050 crore. Additionally, mobile services are being expanded in Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected areas and Aspirational Districts through a ?13,179 crore project, while the ?26,300 crore 4G Saturation Project aims to provide 4G connectivity in uncovered villages. The amended BharatNet project is also facilitating broadband access in Gram Panchayats and villages.
To accelerate 5G adoption, the government has implemented several measures, including the auctioning of spectrum, financial reforms to rationalize Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) and Bank Guarantees, and the removal of Spectrum Usage Charges for spectrum acquired from 2022 onwards. The approval process for telecom infrastructure installation has been simplified through the PM GatiShakti Sanchar portal and the Right of Way (RoW) Rules. Additionally, streamlined permissions for using street furniture for small cell installation have further expedited 5G deployment.
Since its launch in October 2022, India has installed 4.69 lakh 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs), achieving one of the fastest 5G rollouts globally. Currently, 5G services cover 99.6% of the country’s districts, with 2.95 lakh 5G BTSs set up in the last financial year alone (2023-24). This update was shared by Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha.