Science & Tech · Big Tech & Internet · 5 hrs ago
Villages without 4G in India fall to 11,372 from 45,180 in 2022
India’s villages without 4G fell to 11,372 by August 2026, down from 45,180 in 2022.
The decline is partly linked to BSNL’s 4G rollout, with private operators also helping in some areas.
The government’s initial target was 24,680 villages, so the reduction has gone beyond that goal.
About 4 million people may still lack 4G reception in villages, according to an analysis; the estimate is about 0.25% of India’s population.
Odisha had the most villages without coverage, followed by Arunachal Pradesh, and many of the people affected live in villages dominated by Scheduled Tribes.
Mobile broadband is important because wired broadband additions have stalled, while many Indians rely on mobile internet.
The government has sanctioned 26,000 more sites, though the figures have limitations because India has not held a nationwide Census since 2011 and some village records conflict.
The number of Indian villages without 4G connectivity fell from 45,180 in 2022 to 11,372, according to Department of Telecommunications data.
The reduction is partly attributed to BSNL’s 4G saturation project, alongside efforts by private operators.
Odisha had the most villages without 4G coverage as of August 31, with 1,789, including more than 300 uninhabited villages.
An analysis by The Hindu estimated that around 40 lakh people may live in villages without 4G reception this year.
- Who
- Villages in India without 4G connectivity.
- What
- Their number fell from 45,180 in 2022 to 11,372.
- When
- The latest state figures are as of August 31; the data was reported on November 9, 2026.
- Where
- India. Odisha had the highest number of villages without 4G coverage.
- Why
- The reduction is partly attributed to BSNL’s 4G saturation project and complementary efforts by private operators.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
India had 45,180 villages without 4G connectivity.
The number of villages without 4G coverage stood at 11,372.
The Hindu reported the reduction, citing Department of Telecommunications data.
- Villages without 4G in 2022
- 45,180
- Villages without 4G in latest data
- 11,372
- Odisha villages without 4G
- 1,789 as of August 31
- Estimated people without 4G reception
- Around 40 lakh this year
- Next order of sites
- 26,000 sanctioned by the Union government
What people are saying
The Union government has “sanctioned the next order of 26,000 [sites],
So, BSNL has come a long way