**Executive Summary**
This document is the answer to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 652, addressed on December 3rd, 2025, regarding 4G/5G mobile tower infrastructure. It details the number of mobile towers installed, actions taken to address connectivity issues, and measures to enhance digital inclusion in Tamil Nadu and across India. The response includes state-wise counts of Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) installed by Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) during the last three years and provides specific figures for Arani constituency.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Mobile Tower Installation:**
* State-wise and Union Territories (UT) count of BTSs installed from 01.04.2022 to 31.10.2025, is provided in Annexure-I.
* 863 BTSs were installed in Arani constituency in the last three years.
* **Coverage Expansion:**
* Government has initiated a 4G Saturation scheme to provide 4G mobile coverage in all uncovered villages across the country, including rural, hilly, and coastal regions of Tamil Nadu.
* **Addressing Connectivity Issues:**
* Complaints regarding call drops and low data speed have been received.
* Government has taken multiple steps to address network connectivity issues and expand 4G/5G infrastructure, including:
* Auction of spectrum for 5G mobile services in 2022.
* Financial reforms to rationalize Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR), Bank Guarantees (BGs), and interest rates.
* Removal of Spectrum Usage Charges for spectrum acquired in auction of 2022 and thereafter.
* Simplification of procedure for SACFA clearance.
* Launch of GatiShakti Sanchar portal and RoW Rules to streamline permissions and clearance of telecom infrastructure installation.
* Time-bound permission for use of street furniture for installation of small cells and telecommunication lines.
**Impact Analysis**
**Telecom Service Providers (TSPs)**
* **Impact:** TSPs are key implementers of the mobile tower installations and are directly involved in expanding network coverage.
* **Action Required:** TSPs are required to install more BTSs and follow streamlined procedures for obtaining necessary clearances and permissions for infrastructure development.
**Citizens (especially in rural, hilly, and coastal regions of Tamil Nadu)**
* **Impact:** Improved mobile network availability and connectivity, leading to better access to education, banking, healthcare, and e-governance services.
* **Action Required:** No direct action required, but will benefit from the enhanced digital inclusion.
**Government of India (Ministry of Communications, Department of Telecommunications)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for initiating and overseeing the 4G Saturation scheme and other measures to improve mobile network coverage.
* **Action Required:** Continue to implement and monitor the 4G Saturation scheme, streamline regulatory processes, and address complaints related to network connectivity.
Key Entities Referenced
4G Saturation Scheme: Initiative to provide 4G mobile coverage in all uncovered villages in India.
4G/5G mobile tower infrastructure: Infrastructure for providing 4G and 5G mobile services.
Tamil Nadu: The Indian state for which the number of mobile towers and coverage gaps are specifically requested.
GatiShakti Sanchar portal: Portal to streamline RoW (Right of Way) permissions and clearance of installation of telecom infrastructure.
Ministry of Communications: The central government ministry responsible for communications and telecom infrastructure.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 652
ANSWERED ON 3RD DECEMBER, 2025
4G/5G MOBILE TOWER INFRASTRUCTURE
652. SHRI THARANIVENTHAN M S:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:
(a) the total number of mobile towers installed during the last three years, State-wise and the number
specifically installed in Tamil Nadu, especially in Arani Lok Sabha Constituency;
(b) whether the Government has identified coverage gaps or weak network zones in Tamil Nadu
especially in rural, hilly and coastal regions and if so, the details thereof;
(c) the steps taken to expand 4G/5G mobile tower infrastructure to ensure reliable connectivity for
education, banking, healthcare and e-governance services;
(d) whether any complaints have been received regarding call drops, low data speed or long outages and
if so, the actions taken to address them; and
(e) the measures planned to enhance digital inclusion by ensuring universal mobile network access in all
villages of Tamil Nadu?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) State-wise count of number of Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) installed by Telecom Service
Providers (TSPs) during last three years is placed at Annexure-I. Further, total of 863 BTSs were installed in
Arani constituency in last three years.
(b) to (e) To ensure universal mobile network availability in the country, including in rural, hilly and
coastal regions of Tamil Nadu, Government has initiated 4G Saturation scheme to provide 4G mobile coverage
in all uncovered villages.
Yes, complaints have been received regarding issues in the network connectivity including call drops
and low data speed. To address the issues and to expand 4G/5G mobile tower infrastructure in the country,
Government has taken several steps which, inter-alia, include the following:
i. Auction of spectrum for 5G mobile services in 2022.
ii. Financial reforms to rationalize Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR), Bank Guarantees (BGs) and interest
rates.
iii. Removal of Spectrum Usage Charges for spectrum acquired in auction of 2022 and thereafter.
iv. Simplification of procedure for SACFA (Standing Advisory Committee on Radio Frequency
Allocations) clearance.
v. Launch of GatiShakti Sanchar portal and RoW(Right of Way) Rules to streamline RoW permissions
and clearance of installation of telecom infrastructure.
vi. Time-bound permission for use of street furniture for installation of small cells and telecommunication
line.
1Annexure-I
Annexure to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 652 to be answered on 03.12.2025.
Count of Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) installed during last three years (From 01.04.2022 to 31.10.2025):-
Count of BTSs installed from 01.04.2022 to
State/UTs
31.10.2025
Assam 19,067
Bihar 52,098
Chhattisgarh 19,725
Goa 2,319
Gujarat 59,468
Haryana 34,607
Himachal Pradesh 9,472
Jharkhand 18,308
Karnataka 48,942
Kerala 45,343
Madhya Pradesh 48,296
Maharashtra 95,695
Manipur 1,999
Meghalaya 2,093
Mizoram 949
Nagaland 1,515
Odisha 35,171
Punjab 27,827
Rajasthan 52,133
Sikkim 506
Tamil Nadu 64,548
Telangana 34,499
Tripura 2,580
Uttar Pradesh 1,22,943
Uttarakhand 11,493
West Bengal 62,476
Andaman & Nicobar (UT) 434
Chandigarh (UT) 1,284
UT of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and
Daman and Diu 766
Delhi 22,203
Jammu & Kashmir 12,406
Laddakh 740
Lakshadweep (UT) 30
Puducherry (UT) 1,068
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