The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is ensuring stable broadband connectivity in rural areas with funding from Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN). Key initiatives include:
- The Bharat Net project, provides broadband to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages. As of January 13, 2025, 2,14,323 GPs are service-ready.
- Various schemes for high-speed internet and mobile services (including 4G) in remote areas, such as the Northeast, Islands, LWE-affected regions, Aspirational Districts, and border villages.
- Submarine optical fiber cables were laid between Chennai and Andaman & Nicobar (2312 km) and Kochi and Lakshadweep (1869 km), enabling faster rollout of 4G/5G services.
Various telecom assets are mapped on the PM Gati Shakti (PMGS) National Master Plan (NMP) platform in addition to 1600+ layers of different Ministries/departments. The usage of PMGS NMP tools and other mapped telecom assets will aid in the effective planning of additional Bharat Net projects.
