Archive · 3 Dec 2025
India Expands Digital Infrastructure with 6.34 Lakh Villages Connected
India has been working hard to improve its digital infrastructure.
They have laid a lot more optical fiber cables and set up more base stations for mobile networks.
Because of this, most villages in India now have mobile connectivity, and many of them have 4G services.
More people are using broadband internet, and there are many new Wi-Fi hotspots.
People are also using more data, and it has become cheaper.
BSNL, a government telecom company, has installed many 4G sites and plans to upgrade them to 5G soon.
They are also using solar power for new 4G sites and replacing old batteries on towers.
The government is doing this to make sure everyone in India, even in remote areas, can access the internet easily and to improve the quality of services.
Optical fiber network expanded from 17.5 lakh kms in March 2018 to 42.36 lakh kms in September 2025.
Number of Base Transceiver Stations increased from 17.3 lakh in March 2018 to 31.4 lakh in October 2025.
6,34,019 out of 6,44,131 villages in India have mobile connectivity, with 6,30,676 having 4G services as of October 2025.
Broadband subscriptions rose from 48 crore in September 2018 to 98 crore in June 2025, with 3.80 lakh PM-WANI Wi-Fi hotspots installed by October 31, 2025.
Data consumption grew from 8.32 GB per subscriber per month in September 2018 to 25.24 GB in September 2025, with average wireless data tariff declining from Rs 10.91 per GB to Rs 8.27.
- Who
- Indian government, BSNL, Union Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, and Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia
- What
- Expansion of digital infrastructure in India, including optical fiber network, mobile connectivity, broadband subscriptions, and BSNL's 4G and 5G initiatives
- When
- From March 2018 to October 2025, with specific updates as of October 31, 2025
- Where
- India, with a focus on rural and remote areas
- Why
- To strengthen the telecom sector, ensure equitable digital access across the country, and enhance network infrastructure and service quality
- Optical Fiber Network Expansion
- From 17.5 lakh kms (March 2018) to 42.36 lakh kms (September 2025)
- Base Transceiver Stations
- From 17.3 lakh (March 2018) to 31.4 lakh (October 2025)
- Villages with Mobile Connectivity
- 6,34,019 out of 6,44,131 villages (as of October 2025)
- Villages with 4G Services
- 6,30,676 (as of October 2025)
- Broadband Subscriptions
- From 48 crore (September 2018) to 98 crore (June 2025)
- PM-WANI Wi-Fi Hotspots
- 3.80 lakh (as of October 31, 2025)
- Data Consumption
- From 8.32 GB (September 2018) to 25.24 GB (September 2025) per subscriber per month
- Average Wireless Data Tariff
- From Rs 10.91 per GB (September 2018) to Rs 8.27 (September 2025)
- BSNL 4G Sites Installed
- 97,068 (as of October 31, 2025)
- BSNL 4G Sites 'ON-Air'
- 93,511 (as of October 31, 2025)
- BSNL 5G Upgrade Timeline
- Within eight months
- BSNL Revenue H1 FY26
- Rs 11,134 crore
- BSNL Annual Revenue Target FY26
- Rs 27,500 crore
Sources
India bolsters digital infra, over 6.34 lakh villages covered with mobile connectivity
India now crosses 5.08 lakh 5G towers: Govt
BSNL installs 97,068 4G sites, upgradeable to 5G: Minister
India adds 5.7 million active subscribers in October; Jio leads for eighth month
BSNL Installs 97,068 Indigenous 4G Sites; 93,511 On-Air As Push Toward 5G Begins
India Installs 5.08 Lakh 5G BTSs; BharatNet Push Strengthens Rural Connectivity
