**Policy Summary: Telecom Services Improvement in India, with Focus on Hilly Areas**
This document summarizes the Indian government's initiatives to enhance telecom services across the country, with a particular emphasis on hilly regions. As of June 30, 2025, 90,035 out of 95,537 installed 4G sites are operational, utilizing indigenously developed, 5G-upgradable technology, aligning with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Detailed subscriber data for all Telecom Service Providers, including BSNL, is available on the TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) website.
BSNL has demonstrated financial recovery, achieving operating profits from FY 2020-21 onwards. The company reported net profits of Rs. 262 Crore and Rs. 280 Crore in Quarter 3 and 4 of Financial Year 2024-25, respectively, attributed to government revival packages.
To specifically address telecom infrastructure gaps in hilly areas, the government is implementing multiple projects under the Digital Bharat Nidhi (formerly USOF). These include:
* **4G Saturation Project:** Providing 4G mobile services to uncovered villages nationwide.
* **Border Out Posts (BoP)/Border Intelligence Posts (BIP) Project:** Establishing 4G-based mobile services at BoPs/BIPs.
* **Mobile Services in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) Affected Areas:** Schemes designed to improve connectivity in these regions.
* **Mobile Services in Aspirational Districts:** Targeted programs to enhance telecom services in these districts.
* **Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan (CTDP) for the North Eastern Region (NER):** Expanding mobile coverage in uncovered villages and along National Highways in the NER.
* **BharatNet Project:** A phased implementation to deliver broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages based on demand.
These initiatives are overseen by the Ministry of Communications, with Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, responsible for the implementation. The stated goal is comprehensive improvement of telecom services, particularly in underserved and challenging terrains.
Key Entities Referenced
BSNL: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, a telecommunications service provider in India.
TRAI: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, the regulator of the telecommunications sector in India.
Atmanirbhar Bharat: A Government of India initiative promoting self-reliance.
Digital Bharat Nidhi: A fund (erstwhile USOF) used by the Government of India to improve telecom infrastructure.
4G Saturation project: A project under Digital Bharat Nidhi to provide 4G mobile services in uncovered villages across India.
Left Wing Extremism LWE: Areas affected by Left Wing Extremism in India.
Aspirational Districts: Districts in India identified for focused development and improvement.
Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan CTDP: A plan for mobile connectivity in the North Eastern Region (NER) of India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1835
ANSWERED ON 30TH JULY, 2025
TELECOM SERVICES IN HILLY AREAS
1835. THIRU THANGA TAMILSELVAN:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is true that BSNL subscribers are increasing and the cost has come down for
consumers along with 99.6 per cent of districts in the country are covered with 5G rollout with 82
per cent population, if so, the details thereof;
(b) Whether it is also true that after BSNL has earned/has been posting a quarterly profit for the
first time since 2007;
(c) if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government proposes to take further steps to improve the telecom services
particularly in hilly areas across the country; and
(e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) The details of subscribers in the country for various Telecom Service Providers including
BSNL as collected and published by TRAI from time to time are available on its website. Further, in
line with Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, BSNL has placed purchase order for indigenously developed
4G sites for pan India deployment. Supply of 4G equipment has started from September 2023 and as
on 30.06.2025, total 95,537 4G sites have been installed and 90,035 sites are ON-Air. The equipment
is 5G upgradable.
(b) & (c) As a result of the revival packages given to BSNL, BSNL has started earning
operating profits from F.Y. 2020-21 and BSNL has earned net profit of Rs. 262 Crore and 280 Crore
in Quarter 3 & 4 of Financial Year 2024-25 respectively.
(d) & (e) To improve telecom infrastructure in the hilly areas across the country, Government
is implementing various projects under Digital Bharat Nidhi (erstwhile USOF) such as (i) 4G
Saturation project to provide 4G mobile services in uncovered villages across the country, (ii) Border
Out Posts (BoP)/Border Intelligence Posts (BIP) project for the provision of 4G based mobile
services at BoP/BIP’s, (iii) Schemes for providing mobile services in Left Wing Extremism (LWE)
affected areas, (iv) Scheme for providing mobile services in Aspirational Districts, (v)
Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan (CTDP) for mobile connectivity in the NER to provide
mobile coverage in uncovered villages and along the National Highways, and (vi) BharatNet project
which is being implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband connectivity to all the Gram
Panchayats (GPs) and villages on demand in the country.
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