**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 600 on July 23, 2025, regarding internet and WiFi connectivity in rural India, the Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, stated that the government is actively implementing multiple schemes to expand internet access for the benefit of farmers and the general public. These initiatives fall under the Digital Bharat Nidhi and include:
1. **4G Saturation Project:** Installation of 4G mobile towers in rural and remote areas.
2. **BharatNet Project:** Phased implementation to provide broadband connectivity, including WiFi Hotspots and Fibre to the Home (FTTH) connections, to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages based on demand.
3. **PM-WANI Scheme:** Aims to accelerate the proliferation of internet services by establishing public WiFi Hotspots. As of June 30, 2025, 333,300 PM-WANI WiFi hotspots have been installed across the country.
The overarching goal of these measures is to enhance farmers' access to agricultural information and facilitate continuous updates on new developments in the sector, alongside improving overall internet accessibility in rural regions.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Communications: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for communications and information technology.
Department of Telecommunications: A department under the Ministry of Communications responsible for telecom policy, licensing, and regulation.
SMT. VIJAYLAKSHMI DEVI: Member of LOK SABHA who raised the question about internet and WiFi connectivity in rural India.
Digital Bharat Nidhi: A government fund used to expand internet facilities in rural areas.
4G saturation project: A government project focused on installing 4G mobile towers in rural and remote areas of the country.
BharatNet project: A government project implemented to provide broadband connectivity to Gram Panchayats and villages.
PMWANI scheme: A government scheme that aims to accelerate proliferation of internet services by setting up public WiFi Hotspots.
Gram Panchayats: Village level local self-government institution in India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 600
ANSWERED ON 23RD JULY, 2025
INTERNET AND WI-FI CONNECTION FACILITIES IN RURAL INDIA
†600. SMT. VIJAYLAKSHMI DEVI:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has made available internet and Wi-Fi connection facilities across
all the villages of the country for the benefit of farmers so that they can enhance their knowledge
about agriculture sector and continuously receive information regarding the new developments in
agriculture sector;
(b) if so, the measures/actions taken/being taken by the Government in this regard; and
(c) if not, the delay by which the target for providing internet and Wi-Fi facilities across all
villages of the country is likely to be achieved?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) to (c) Government is implementing various schemes under Digital Bharat Nidhi for
expansion of internet facilities through installation of 4G mobile towers in the rural and remote areas
of the country under 4G saturation project. In addition, BharatNet project is being implemented in a
phased manner to provide broadband connectivity such as Wi-Fi Hotspots, Fibre to the Home
(FTTH) connections etc. to all the Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages on demand basis.
Further to improve Wi-Fi proliferation, Government has launched PM-WANI scheme which
aims to accelerate proliferation of internet services for public including farmers by setting up public
Wi-Fi Hotspots in the country. As on 30.06.2025, 3,33,300 PM-WANI Wi-Fi hotspots have been
installed in the country.
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