Over 95% of Villages in India Enjoy 4G Mobile Network: Government

New Delhi, Dec 12 (NationPress) The availability of mobile network in rural India has surged to nearly 97 percent. Out of a total of 6,44,131 villages, approximately 6,22,840 villages have mobile coverage, and among these, 6,14,564 villages are connected via 4G mobile technology, as was disclosed in Parliament on Thursday.

As part of the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN) initiated by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, 4,543 particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) habitations were recognized as lacking mobile connectivity. Of these, 1,136 PVTG habitations have now been provided with mobile service, as stated by the Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, in a written response to a query in the Rajya Sabha.

As of October 31, a total of 1,018 mobile towers have been approved under various Digital Bharat Nidhi-funded initiatives aimed at establishing 4G coverage in PVTG habitations, with an estimated investment of Rs 1,014 crore.

"The government is executing multiple schemes under Digital Bharat Nidhi to enhance telecom connectivity by erecting mobile towers in rural, remote, and hilly areas across the nation, including PVTG habitats," the minister remarked.

Additionally, 5G services are now operational in 779 districts out of 783 districts nationwide (as of October 31). Moreover, over 4.6 lakh 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) have been deployed throughout the country, as per the minister's report.

The government has undertaken various measures to facilitate the expansion of 5G services, including the allocation of adequate spectrum for mobile services through auctions and a series of financial reforms that have streamlined the Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) and Bank Guarantees (BGs).

Telecom service providers (TSPs) have been actively enhancing 5G services across the country, surpassing the mandatory rollout requirements outlined in the Notice Inviting Application (NIA) for spectrum auction, as informed by the government.