**Policy Summary: Mobile Network Coverage and Internet Penetration in Rural and Hilly Areas of Tamil Nadu**
This document summarizes the current status of mobile network coverage and internet penetration in rural and hilly areas of Tamil Nadu, as of July 30, 2025, in response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1785.
**Key Findings:**
* **Mobile Coverage:** Out of 16,488 villages in Tamil Nadu (as per the Registrar General of India), 16,483 villages have mobile coverage and internet connectivity. 16,431 villages have 4G mobile coverage, including rural and hilly areas.
* **Government Initiatives:** The government, through funding from Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), is actively expanding telecom connectivity by installing 4G mobile towers in rural and remote areas, including Tamil Nadu.
* **DBN Impact:** As of June 2025, 256 towers have been commissioned in Tamil Nadu under DBN-funded mobile schemes, providing 4G mobile coverage to 300 villages.
* **BharatNet Project:** The BharatNet project aims to provide connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) for broadband services. As of June 2025, 2,14,325 GPs have been made service-ready under the BharatNet project in the country, including 10,298 GPs in Tamil Nadu. 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.
* **Telecom Service Providers:** Mobile coverage for any uncovered inhabited villages is provided by Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) based on techno-commercial viability.
**Responsible Ministry:** Ministry of Communications, Department of Telecommunications.
**Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development:** Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar.
Key Entities Referenced
BharatNet project: A project to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats in India.
Gram Panchayats (GPs): Village level local self-government institutions in India.
Tamil Nadu: A state in southern India, focus of the mobile network coverage and internet penetration inquiry.
Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF): A fund used to provide telecom services in rural and remote areas.
4G: Fourth generation of mobile telecommunications technology.
5G: Fifth generation of mobile telecommunications technology.
Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN): A fund by the Government of India for expansion of telecom connectivity through installation of 4G mobile towers in rural and remote areas.
WiFi Hotspots: A location that provides wireless internet access to the public.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1785
ANSWERED ON 30TH JULY, 2025
MOBILE NETWORK COVERAGE/INTERNET PENETRATION IN RURAL AND HILLY
AREAS OF TAMIL NADU
1785. DR. KALANIDHI VEERASWAMY:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:
(a) the current status of mobile network coverage and internet penetration in rural and hilly areas
of Tamil Nadu;
(b) whether there are delays in setting up 4G/5G towers under the Universal Service Obligation
Fund (USOF), if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps taken/being taken to improve telecom infrastructure in backward and tribal
dominated regions of Tamil Nadu?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) to (c) Out of 16,488 villages in the state of Tamil Nadu (as per data of Registrar General of
India), 16,483 villages have mobile coverage and internet connectivity. Out of these, 16,431 villages
have 4G mobile coverage, including in rural and hilly areas.
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, including Tamil
Nadu. As on June 2025, 256 towers have been commissioned in Tamil Nadu under DBN funded
mobile schemes, providing 4G mobile coverage to 300 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. As of June 2025,
2,14,325 GPs have been made service ready under BharatNet project in the country, including 10,298
GPs in Tamil Nadu.
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