The total number of Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) in the Indian telecom industry reached 29.43 lakh as of November 2024, according to Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia. This marks significant growth from 6.49 lakh BTS in March 2014. Additionally, the total mobile subscriber base in India grew from 90.45 crore in March 2014 to 116.38 crore in August 2024, while internet subscribers increased from 25.15 crore in March 2014 to 96.96 crore in June 2024.
India’s 5G BTS count has also surpassed 4,60,000, driven by rapid deployments from Airtel and Jio over the past two years. Efforts to enhance rural connectivity are underway, with mobile connectivity now available in 6,22,840 out of 6,44,131 villages, as of September 2024, based on data from the Registrar General of India.
To bring high-speed 4G connectivity to rural areas, the government is implementing the 4G saturation project with an allocated budget of ₹30,620 crore, targeting the installation of 17,901 BTS. Additionally, the BharatNet project has received ₹1,39,579 crore to expand digital connectivity.
The BharatNet project, now managed by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) following its merger with Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL), aims to leverage BSNL’s expertise to improve efficiency and reach.
Several other initiatives are also in progress to improve connectivity in underserved regions, including projects in 502 aspirational districts, LWE Phase-2, and 7287 aspirational districts.
These connectivity projects are funded through the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), now renamed Digital Bharat Nidhi (DNB). The government continues to push for comprehensive digital infrastructure to bridge the connectivity gap across India.
