**Executive Summary**
This document presents the responses of the Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development to questions raised in Lok Sabha regarding the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) funded mobile connectivity in Tamil Nadu. The questions pertain to 4G coverage, commissioned towers, the BharatNet project's status, and plans for upgrading and extending broadband connectivity. The response covers data up to December 2025, with reference to the Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) approved on August 4, 2023.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **4G Mobile Coverage**
* As of December 2025, 16,452 villages in Tamil Nadu have 4G mobile services.
* **DBN Funded Mobile Connectivity**
* The DBN funded project for 4G saturation is underway in Tamil Nadu and other remote/hilly regions.
* Till December 2025, 255 mobile towers have been commissioned in Tamil Nadu, covering 297 villages.
* **BharatNet Project**
* The BharatNet project aims to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages in Tamil Nadu and the rest of the country in a phased manner.
* As of December 2025, 10,869 GPs in Tamil Nadu are service-ready under the BharatNet project.
* **Amended BharatNet Program (ABP)**
* The Amended BharatNet Program (ABP), approved on August 4, 2023, is under implementation.
* The ABP focuses on upgrading the existing BharatNet Phase-I and Phase-II networks.
* The ABP is creating networks in remaining GPs and connecting non-GP villages based on demand from their respective GPs.
**Impact Analysis**
**Villages in Tamil Nadu**
* *Impact*: Increased 4G mobile and broadband connectivity, especially in remote and hilly areas.
* *Action Required*: To avail of the improved connectivity services as they become available.
**Gram Panchayats (GPs) in Tamil Nadu**
* *Impact*: Broadband connectivity for all GPs through the BharatNet project.
* *Action Required*: To prepare for and utilize the broadband connectivity to improve services.
**Non-Gram Panchayat Villages in Tamil Nadu**
* *Impact*: Extension of fiber connectivity based on demand through the Amended BharatNet Program (ABP).
* *Action Required*: To assess the demand for connectivity and communicate it to the relevant authorities via their respective GPs.
Key Entities Referenced
Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN): A scheme funding mobile connectivity, specifically for 4G mobile services in uncovered villages.
Tamil Nadu: The Indian state which is the focus of the policy, specifically for mobile connectivity.
BharatNet: A project to provide broadband connectivity to Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages.
Amended BharatNet Program (ABP): A program for upgrading the existing BharatNet network, including connecting non-Gram Panchayat villages.
Department of Telecommunications: The department under which the policy falls.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 885
TO BE ANSWERED ON 4TH FEBRUARY, 2026
DIGITAL BHARAT NIDHI (DBN) FUNDED MOBILE CONNECTIVITY IN TAMIL
NADU
885. SHRI C N ANNADURAI:
SHRI SELVAM G:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:
(a) the details of number of villages in Tamil Nadu that currently have 4G mobile coverage;
(b) the details of towers commissioned in Tamil Nadu under the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN)-
funded mobile connectivity schemes and the number of villages benefiting from these installations;
(c) the current status of the BharatNet project in Tamil Nadu, including the number of Gram
Panchayats made service-ready for broadband connectivity as on date;
(d) whether the Government has proposed to upgrade the existing BharatNet network and extend
fibre connectivity to non-Gram Panchayat villages in Tamil Nadu under the Amended BharatNet
Programme; and
(e) the steps taken by Government to ensure 100% mobile and broadband coverage in all villages
of Tamil Nadu, including remote and hilly regions?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) As of December-2025, 16,452 villages have been covered with 4G mobile services in Tamil
Nadu.
(b) to (e) The DBN funded project for saturation of 4G mobile services for providing 4G
mobile services in uncovered villages in remote and hilly regions of the country, including Tamil
Nadu is under implementation. Under this, 4G Saturation Scheme, till Dec-2025, 255 mobile towers
have been commissioned in Tamil Nadu covering 297 villages.
BharatNet project is being implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband
connectivity to all the Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages in the country, including Tamil Nadu.
As of Dec-2025; 10,869 GPs have been made service ready under BharatNet project in Tamil Nadu.
Further, Amended BharatNet Program (ABP), approved by the Government on 04.08.2023, is under
implementation for up-gradation of existing network of BharatNet Phase-I and Phase-II, creation
of network in balance GPs and connectivity to remaining non-GP villages on demand basis from
their respective GPs.
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