97% Border Villages Connected as Govt Expands Telecom Reach

The government defines border villages as those within 0–50 km of the international boundary, prioritising them for connectivity and development.

India has achieved near-universal mobile connectivity in border regions, with over 97% of villages covered, as the government accelerates efforts to bridge the digital divide and strengthen strategic infrastructure in remote areas.

Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia informed the Lok Sabha that the expansion is part of a broader push to transform border settlements from “last villages” into “first villages” under the Vibrant Villages Programme.

Massive Expansion in Border Connectivity

The government defines border villages as those within 0–50 km of the international boundary, prioritising them for connectivity and development.

Key highlights:

• 97.28% coverage in border areas of Rajasthan

• 684 out of 705 villages connected in Uttarakhand

• Ongoing efforts to cover remaining remote locations

Mobile coverage is being extended through a mix of private telecom investments and government-funded schemes under the Digital Bharat Nidhi.

BSNL Revival and Indigenous 4G Push

Scindia highlighted a major shift toward telecom self-reliance, anchored by India’s indigenous 4G technology stack.

Key developments:

• 100,000 BSNL 4G towers rolled out nationwide

• Subscriber base increased from 8.55 crore to 9.27 crore

• BSNL reported profits for the first time in nearly 18 years (FY 2024–25)

• 5G rollout planned after 4G stabilisation

The indigenous 4G stack places India among a select group of countries with end-to-end telecom technology capabilities.

Policy Reforms to Accelerate Infrastructure Rollout

To speed up telecom expansion, the government has introduced several reforms:

• Removal of restrictions on installing towers near borders

• Telecommunications (Right of Way) Rules, 2024 for faster approvals

• Launch of Gati Shakti Sanchar Portal to streamline clearances

These measures are aimed at reducing delays and enabling rapid infrastructure deployment.

BharatNet: Backbone of Rural Connectivity

On broadband expansion, the Minister highlighted progress under BharatNet, one of the world’s largest rural connectivity programmes:

• 215,000+ Gram Panchayats connected

• Total outlay of approximately ₹1.39 lakh crore

• Network upgrade to ring topology for reliability and redundancy

The programme is being expanded to connect additional villages on a demand-driven basis.

India’s Telecom Transformation

Over the past decade, India’s telecom sector has seen dramatic transformation:

• 97% reduction in data costs

• Rapid expansion of mobile and broadband infrastructure

• Nationwide rollout of digital services like UPI and DBT

• Emergence as a global leader in affordable digital connectivity

Strategic and Developmental Impact

The expansion of telecom infrastructure in border areas serves dual objectives:

• Development: Improving access to education, healthcare, and digital services

• Security: Strengthening communication networks in sensitive regions

Scindia emphasised that connectivity is now central to both economic inclusion and national security.

Toward Universal Digital Inclusion

Reaffirming the government’s commitment, the Minister said efforts will continue to ensure last-mile connectivity across all regions, particularly in remote and border areas.

With near-universal coverage already achieved in several states, India is moving closer to its goal of comprehensive digital inclusion, backed by indigenous technology and large-scale infrastructure investment.