Number of villages without 4G connectivity falls by three-fourths in four years

The number of Indian villages that remain without serviceable 4G connectivity has plummeted by roughly three‑quarters over the past four years, according to data obtained by The Hindu under the Right to Information Act. The figures, which compare the status of rural broadband in 2019‑20 with the latest survey for 2023‑24, reveal a steep decline in the count of villages lacking internet speeds that meet the minimum benchmark of 1 megabit per second (Mbps) for both download and upload. While the overall picture points to substantial progress, the data also highlights persisting gaps in the country’s ambitious drive to bridge the digital divide.In 2019‑20, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) recorded 149,698 villages as “unserved,” meaning they did not have access to 4G networks capable of delivering the stipulated speed..

By the end of the 2023‑24 period, that number had fallen to 36,927, marking a reduction of 112,771 villages, or 75.3 per cent. The decline corresponds with the rollout of the BharatNet project, a government‑led initiative aimed at delivering high‑speed broadband to gram panchayats across the country, as well as with the expansion of private telecom operators into previously untapped rural markets.The Ministry’s latest report, which was released as part of the annual “State of the Nation’s Telecom Infrastructure” briefing, attributes the progress to a combination of public investment and policy incentives. Since 2020, MeitY has allocated over ₹25,000 crore (approximately $300 million) to fund the laying of optical fibre cables (OFC) in villages, with a particular focus on the 22,000 gram panchayats identified as the most remote and underserved..

In parallel, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has introduced a series of spectrum sharing and subsidy schemes designed to lower the cost burden on private operators seeking to extend 4G coverage to low‑density areas.Industry sources confirm that the three major telecom operators – Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea – have accelerated their rural expansion plans in response to both governmental incentives and the growing demand for digital services in agrarian communities. Jio, for instance, announced in early 2022 that it had completed 4G roll‑out in 90 % of the villages it targeted under its “Jio Rural Reach” program, a figure that has risen to 96 % according to internal data shared with analysts. Airtel and Vodafone Idea have reported similar gains, citing the deployment of micro‑towers and the use of low‑cost, solar‑powered base stations as key enablers.Despite the encouraging numbers, the remaining 36,927 unserved villages are not evenly distributed across the nation..

The data shows a concentration of gaps in the hilly terrains of the North‑Eastern states, as well as in parts of central India where sparse populations and difficult geography increase deployment costs. In Assam, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh, more than 30 % of villages still lack 4G service, a to states such as Gujarat, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, where unserved villages account for less than 1 % of the total. Experts warn that the “last mile” challenge – delivering connectivity to remote hamlets that are often inaccessible by road – may require a different technological mix, including satellite broadband and high‑altitude platform stations (HAPS).Policy analysts also point out that while the number of villages without any 4G coverage has fallen sharply, the quality and reliability of the service in many newly connected locations remain variable..

A recent survey by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) indicated that only 68 % of villages that achieved the 1 Mbps threshold consistently maintained that speed during peak usage hours. Issues such as intermittent power supply, limited backhaul capacity and sub‑optimal tower placement continue to affect user experience, especially during agricultural seasons when data demand spikes for weather forecasts, market prices and e‑extension services.The government has signalled its intent to address these shortcomings through the upcoming “Digital India Rural Expansion” plan, slated for launch in the next fiscal year. The plan proposes a blend of fibre‑to‑the‑home (FTTH) projects in densely populated villages, while promoting the use of 5G‑enabled fixed wireless access (FWA) solutions in more isolated settlements..

Moreover, the Ministry of Rural Development is expected to integrate broadband rollout with existing schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), aiming to synchronize road construction with fibre deployment to reduce logistical hurdles.Civil society organisations have welcomed the overall trend but caution that the focus must shift from merely counting connected villages to ensuring affordable and inclusive access for all residents. “A village may be marked as ‘connected’ on paper, but if a farmer cannot afford a data plan or the network is unreliable, the digital divide persists,” said Priya Singh, director of the non‑profit Digital Inclusion India. She added that digital literacy programmes, subsidised data packages for low‑income households and community Wi‑Fi hubs are essential complements to infrastructure expansion.The statistical decline in unserved villages also carries broader economic implications..

According to a World Bank report released earlier this year, each percentage point increase in broadband penetration in rural India is associated with a 0.15 % rise in agricultural productivity, as farmers gain timely access to market information, weather updates and advisory services. The Ministry estimates that the recent surge in connectivity could translate into an additional $12 billion in rural GDP over the next five years, provided that ancillary services and affordable devices keep pace with network growth.In summary, the Right to Information data paints a picture of rapid progress in shrinking the digital gap between urban and rural India, with a three‑quarters reduction in villages lacking 4G service in just four years. The momentum generated by the BharatNet project, spectrum incentives and private sector participation has been decisive..

Yet, the persistence of connectivity blind spots in mountainous and remote regions, coupled with concerns over service quality and affordability, underscores the need for a nuanced, multi‑technology approach. As policymakers, operators and civil society converge on the next phase of rural broadband expansion, the challenge will be to translate the impressive numerical gains into tangible, inclusive benefits for the millions of villagers who stand to reap the rewards of a truly connected India..