The government has implemented several key measures to enhance broadband connectivity in rural areas. The launch of the Gati Shakti Sanchar Portal on May 14, 2022, has streamlined Right of Way (RoW) permissions, expediting the deployment of Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) and telecom towers while significantly reducing approval times. Further, the Telecommunications Act 2023 and the Telecommunications (Right of Way) Rules 2024, effective from January 1, 2025, have introduced uniform RoW charges nationwide, accelerating telecom infrastructure rollout.
Additionally, the National Broadband Mission (NBM) 2.0, set to commence on April 1, 2025, will address broadband connectivity challenges in remote and difficult areas through initiatives such as promoting satellite broadband for cost-effective connectivity and collaborating with the Ministry of Power to utilize Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) for improved connectivity in hilly and remote regions.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is also ensuring stable broadband services in rural areas with funding from the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN). Under the BharatNet project, broadband connectivity has been extended to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages, with 2,14,323 GPs service-ready as of January 13, 2025. Various government schemes support high-speed internet and mobile connectivity, including 4G services, in remote areas such as the Northeast, Islands, Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected regions, Aspirational Districts, and border villages.
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Infrastructure development has also been strengthened through the deployment of submarine optical fiber cables between Chennai and Andaman & Nicobar (2,312 km) and Kochi and Lakshadweep (1,869 km), enabling faster 4G/5G rollout. Moreover, telecom assets are mapped on the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP) platform, alongside 1,600+ layers of data from various ministries and departments, allowing for more effective planning and expansion of the BharatNet project.
