This document summarizes the Indian government's response to concerns raised in Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4560, regarding mobile and internet connectivity in Kerala, answered on August 20, 2025. The question specifically addresses connectivity in tribal, hilly, and forest-adjacent areas, particularly those with tourism potential, including Athirappilly, Malakkapara, Vazhachal, Ponginchod, Silent Valley, Gavi, and parts of Wayanad and Idukki.
As of June 2025, the Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, stated that all 1,438 villages in Kerala, including the mentioned tourist locations, have 4G mobile connectivity. Nationally, 6,30,582 out of 6,44,131 villages have mobile connectivity, with 6,25,571 villages having 4G connectivity.
The government addresses uncovered inhabited villages through Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) based on techno-commercial viability. Furthermore, the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) funds schemes for expanding telecom connectivity via 4G mobile tower installations in rural and remote areas. As of the stated date, 317 mobile towers have been commissioned in Kerala under DBN funded schemes, providing mobile connectivity to 502 villages.
The BharatNet project aims to provide connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) for broadband services like WiFi Hotspots and Fibre to the Home (FTTH) connections. The Union Cabinet has approved an Amended BharatNet Program to connect all GPs in a ring topology, upgrade existing networks, and connect approximately 3.8 lakh non-GP villages on demand. All 978 GPs in Kerala are service-ready under the BharatNet project.
Key Entities Referenced
Kerala: A state in India, specifically mentioned in the context of mobile and internet connectivity.
Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF): A fund used by the Government to provide telecom infrastructure, especially in rural and remote areas.
BharatNet: A project aimed at providing broadband connectivity to Gram Panchayats (GPs) across the country.
4G Saturation Project: A project aimed at improving 4G mobile connectivity.
Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN): A fund used for expansion of telecom connectivity through installation of 4G mobile towers in rural and remote areas.
Wayanad: A district in Kerala, India, specifically mentioned in the context of communication deficiencies.
Idukki: A district in Kerala, India, specifically mentioned in the context of communication deficiencies.
Gram Panchayats (GPs): Local governing bodies at the village level in India, targeted for connectivity under the BharatNet project.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4560
ANSWERED ON 20TH AUGUST, 2025
MOBILE AND INTERNET CONNECTIVITY IN KERALA
4560. SHRI BENNY BEHANAN:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has identified tribal, hilly and forest-adjacent areas especially those
with tourism potential which are still underserved or unconnected in terms of mobile and internet
connectivity;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise and the status of ongoing or proposed initiatives to
address these gaps;
(c) whether the Government is aware of the serious communication deficiencies in tribal and
tourism zones like Athirappilly, Malakkapara, Vazhachal, Ponginchod, Silent Valley, Gavi and parts
of Wayanad and Idukki in Kerala and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether there is any special package or scheme under the Universal Service Obligation Fund
(USOF), BharatNet or the 4G Saturation Project to provide eco-sensitive, disaster-resilient and
inclusive telecom infrastructure in these regions and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) to (d) As of June 2025, out of 6,44,131 villages in the country (as per data of Registrar
General of India), 6,30,582 villages are covered with mobile connectivity and out of these, 6,25,571
villages have 4G mobile connectivity. All the 1,438 villages in Kerala have 4G mobile connectivity,
including tourist places such as Athirapally, Malakkapara, Vazhachal, Ponginchuvadu, Silent Valley,
and Gavi.
Mobile coverage for any uncovered inhabited villages is provided by the Telecom Service
Providers (TSPs) based on the techno-commercial viability. Government, through funding from
Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), is implementing various schemes for expansion of telecom connectivity
through installation of 4G mobile towers in the rural and remote areas of the country. As on date,
317 mobile towers have been commissioned in Kerala under various DBN funded schemes,
providing mobile connectivity to 502 villages.
BharatNet project is being implemented in a phased manner to provide connectivity to all the
Gram Panchayats (GPs) for broadband services, such as Wi-Fi Hotspots, Fibre to the Home (FTTH)
connections etc. Further, the Union Cabinet has approved Amended BharatNet Program for
provisioning of connectivity to all GPs in the country in ring topology including upgrading existing
network and connectivity to about 3.8 Lakh non-GP villages on demand basis. All the 978 GPs in
Kerala have been made service ready under BharatNet project.
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