Synopsis
As of April 2, 2025, India's broadband subscribers reached over 94 crore, with data consumption per capita doubling to 21.1 GB. This reflects significant growth in digital infrastructure and mobile broadband speeds, underscoring the government's commitment to enhancing connectivity nationwide.Key Takeaways
- Broadband subscribers rose from 66 crore to 94.49 crore.
- Monthly data consumption doubled from 10 GB to 21.10 GB.
- Mobile broadband speeds improved from 10.71 Mbps to 144.33 Mbps.
- Key infrastructure expansions included Optical Fiber Cable and mobile towers.
- The National Broadband Mission 2.0 aims to enhance rural digital access.
New Delhi, April 2 (NationPress) India has experienced a remarkable surge in broadband subscribers, increasing from 66 crore to 94.49 crore. Additionally, the average monthly wireless data usage per person has significantly risen, doubling from 10 GB to 21.10 GB, according to government reports released on Wednesday.
The velocity of mobile broadband has also seen considerable enhancement. As per Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index, the median mobile broadband download speed leaped from 10.71 Mbps in 2019 to 144.33 Mbps in February 2025.
Emphasizing the nation’s swift advancement in digital architecture, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Jitin Prasada, stated in Lok Sabha that fixed broadband download speeds have surged from 29.25 Mbps to 61.66 Mbps during this timeframe.
The growth of digital infrastructure has been pivotal in this evolution. The length of Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) has more than doubled, rising from 19.35 lakh route kilometers to 42.13 lakh route kilometers.
The number of mobile towers has escalated from 5.37 lakh to 8.23 lakh. Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs), vital for mobile connectivity, have increased from 21.80 lakh to 29.97 lakh, which includes 4.69 lakh 5G BTSs.
The government is proactively working to enhance broadband services nationwide, as mentioned by the minister. A total of 206 State Broadband Committee meetings have been convened to ensure the effective implementation of broadband expansion.
Capacity-building conferences have been organized across various states and Union Territories, concentrating on 5G applications in crucial sectors such as healthcare, education, Industry 4.0, and public safety.
To further promote digital transformation in rural areas, the government unveiled the National Broadband Mission 2.0 on January 17, 2025.
This initiative aims to fast-track digital infrastructure growth, close the digital divide, and provide high-speed broadband access to every citizen.
The BharatNet project is also being rolled out in phases to extend broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages beyond GPs on demand.
For improved network reliability and service quality, the government has introduced a revised BharatNet program.
The Union Cabinet sanctioned this initiative in August 2023, which involves upgrading the existing BharatNet network, designating BSNL as the sole Project Management Agency for operations, and ensuring enhanced network management through a dedicated Network Operation Centre.
