Executive Summary:
This document addresses mobile connectivity issues in rural and border areas, as discussed in Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 52 on July 23, 2025. It details the government's efforts to improve connectivity through various schemes and initiatives, including the installation of 4G mobile towers and the utilization of Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) funds. The report also outlines mechanisms for lodging complaints regarding mobile signal issues and call drops.
Key Points / Main Content:
Mobile Connectivity Coverage:
* As of May 2025, 6,29,027 out of 6,44,131 villages in India have mobile connectivity, with 6,23,512 having 4G connectivity.
* All 1,070 villages in Bhiwani, Mahendragarh, and Nuh districts of Haryana have 4G mobile connectivity.
Government Initiatives:
* The government is implementing schemes through Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) to expand telecom connectivity, including installing 4G mobile towers in rural, remote, and border areas, including Haryana.
Complaint Mechanisms:
* Consumers can lodge complaints regarding mobile signal issues and call drops through:
* Telecom Service Provider (TSP) customer care centers.
* Appellate Authority of the respective TSP.
* The Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) portal.
Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) Utilization in Haryana:
* As of June 2025, Rs. 970 Crore has been disbursed/utilized for enhancing telecom and broadband connectivity in Haryana under various DBN schemes.
* Rs. 771 Crore has been disbursed under the BharatNet project.
* 1,59,949 Fiber to the Home (FTTH) connections have been provided in Haryana under BharatNet.
BSNL Network Upgradation:
* BSNL has installed 2,056 4G sites in Haryana under its Phase IX.2 project.
* 829 of these sites have been installed in districts bordering Rajasthan, including Bhiwani, Mahendragarh, and Nuh.
Impact Analysis:
Telecom Service Providers (TSPs):
* Impact: Expected to expand and improve mobile connectivity in rural and border areas, particularly in Haryana. Must address customer complaints through established customer care centers and appellate authorities.
* Action Required: Continue to expand network coverage based on techno-commercial viability and address customer complaints promptly through established channels.
Consumers in Rural and Border Areas:
* Impact: Will experience improved mobile connectivity, including 4G services. Have access to multiple channels for lodging complaints regarding service issues.
* Action Required: Utilize available complaint mechanisms (TSP customer care, Appellate Authority, CPGRAMS) to report mobile signal issues and call drops.
Gram Panchayats:
* Impact: Can serve as a point of contact for residents to voice concerns regarding mobile connectivity.
* Action Required: Assist residents in lodging complaints through available channels and monitor the effectiveness of connectivity improvements.
Government of India (Ministry of Communications):
* Impact: Responsible for overseeing the implementation of connectivity projects and addressing public grievances.
* Action Required: Continue to monitor the progress of connectivity projects, allocate funds through Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), and ensure that TSPs address consumer complaints effectively.
Key Entities Referenced
Department of Telecommunications: A department under the Ministry of Communications responsible for telecommunications policy and regulation in India.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the starred question was raised.
SHRI DHARAMBIR SINGH: Member of Parliament who raised the starred question regarding mobile connectivity.
Bhiwani, Mahendragarh and Nuh, Haryana: Districts in Haryana specifically mentioned as having poor mobile connectivity.
4G5G: The next generation of mobile networks.
BharatNet: A project to provide broadband connectivity to gram panchayats in India.
USOF: Universal Service Obligation Fund, used to fund telecom infrastructure in rural areas.
Rajasthan: A state bordering Haryana, where weak signal access is a concern.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 52
ANSWERED ON 23RD JULY, 2025
POOR MOBILE CONNECTIVITY IN RURAL AND BORDER AREAS
*52. SHRI DHARAMBIR SINGH:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has identified rural and border areas with poor mobile connectivity,
especially in districts like Bhiwani, Mahendragarh and Nuh, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether any targets have been set to establish new 4G/5G towers in low-connectivity zones
and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether there is a mechanism to collect complaints from gram panchayats regarding mobile
signal issues and call drops and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether BharatNet or USOF funds have been utilised to enhance last-mile connectivity in
Haryana and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether the Government plans to ensure MTNL/BSNL network upgradation in areas
bordering Rajasthan where signal access is weak and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN
REGION
(SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA)
(a) to (e) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
1STATEMENT TO BE LAID ON THE TABLE OF LOK SABHA IN RESPECT OF PARTS
(a) to (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.52 FOR 23RD JULY, 2025
REGARDING “POOR MOBILE CONNECTIVITY IN RURAL AND BORDER AREAS.”
(a) & (b) As of May 2025, out of 6,44,131 villages in the country (as per data of Registrar
General of India), 6,29,027 villages are covered with mobile connectivity and out of these, 6,23,512
villages have 4G mobile connectivity. All the 1,070 villages in Bhiwani, Mahendragarh and Nuh
districts of Haryana, have 4G mobile connectivity.
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, remote and border areas of the country,
including Haryana.
(c) Consumers have multiple options to lodge complaints regarding mobile signal issues and call
drops, such as:
Every Telecom Service Provider (TSP) has its own customer care centre to lodge service
related complaints.
In accordance with the TRAI mandate to the TSPs, an appeal for service related complaints
can be registered with the Appellate Authority of the respective TSP.
Complaints can also be lodged in the Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring
System (CPGRAMS) portal of Government of India.
(d) As of June, 2025, Rs. 970 Crore have been disbursed/utilized for enhancing telecom and
broadband connectivity in Haryana under various Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) schemes. Out of this,
Rs. 771 Crore have been disbursed under BharatNet project. So far, 1,59,949 Fiber to the Home
(FTTH) connections have been provided in Haryana under BharatNet.
(e) BSNL in its latest Phase IX.2 project has installed 2,056 4G sites in Haryana. Out of these
829 sites have been installed in the districts of Haryana bordering Rajasthan, including Bhiwani,
Mahendragarh and Nuh.
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