Telecom Minister Scindia vows to connect 25,000 villages by mid-2025, facing ongoing delays and challenges amidst ambitious rollout plans.

Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced plans to connect 25,000 unconnected villages with telecom and mobile internet by mid-2025, aiming for full saturation across the country. As part of this initiative, BSNL will deploy 100,000 telecom towers and invest Rs 45,000 crore. Despite 450,000 towers already in place, many villages, especially in Northeast India, remain without service. The government has set ambitious goals for connection expansion, local telecom production, and the adoption of new technologies. However, previous deadlines have faced delays, underscoring the challenges in achieving reliable telecom services across rural regions.

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Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia recently announced a significant step towards connecting 25,000 villages in India that currently lack telecom and mobile internet access. This initiative aims to achieve complete saturation by mid-2025. State-run BSNL is set to launch its 4G network with the installation of 100,000 telecom towers by the middle of next year.

Despite a total of 450,000 towers already built across the country, many villages remain unconnected. Scindia emphasized that the government is committed to constructing nearly 20,000 additional towers, with an investment of Rs 45,000 crore dedicated to this effort. Notably, Northeast India faces the highest number of unconnected villages, approximately 6,000, with the telecom department successfully connecting about half of these areas.

The government aims to focus on three key objectives: expanding connections, promoting indigenous telecom production, and embracing new technologies. Scindia also commented on India’s Bharat 6G Alliance, which aims for the nation to secure 10% of international patents in the telecommunications sector.

However, progress has been sluggish, with previous deadlines consistently unmet. In July 2019, the then-telecom minister urged companies to connect all 43,000 villages lacking basic telephony within a year. The promise made in April 2023 was to cover more than 38,000 villages without 4G connections by 2024. Unfortunately, delays have persisted, particularly with BSNL’s rollout plans, which have fallen further behind compared to private telecom providers like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.

As the government endeavors to connect remote areas and enhance telecommunications throughout the country, the commitment to bridging this digital divide remains more crucial than ever.

Tags: Jyotiraditya Scindia, Telecom Connectivity, BSNL, 4G Network, Digital India, Northeast India, Mobile Internet Access, Telecommunications, Rural Connectivity, Bharat 6G Alliance.

1. Why is the government planning to connect 25,000 villages with telecom services in 2025?
   The government wants to improve communication and internet access in remote areas, helping villagers with education, health, and business opportunities.

2. How will the telecom connections benefit people in these villages?
   By having better telecom services, villagers can access information, connect with family and friends, and use online services for education, healthcare, and job opportunities.

3. What will it cost to connect these villages to telecom services?
   The exact cost is not yet clear, but the government is working with telecom companies to manage expenses and provide affordable connections for everyone.

4. When will the telecom connections start to be set up in the villages?
   The work is expected to begin soon, with plans to have connections ready by 2025.

5. How can villagers get involved in this project?
   Villagers can share their needs and ideas with local leaders, who can help communicate with the government and ensure the services meet their needs.