**Executive Summary**
This document presents the response of the Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development to questions regarding the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) initiatives. It outlines the progress of projects aimed at expanding broadband and mobile connectivity in rural and remote areas, including timelines and achievements. The report highlights ongoing and completed projects with focus on the BharatNet project, 4G saturation, and submarine optical fibre cable projects, with the deadline for completion of 4G saturation projects in December 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **BharatNet Project:**
* Implemented to provide broadband connectivity to Gram Panchayats (GPs).
* As of November 2025, 2,14,904 GPs are service ready.
* 13,92,767 FTTH connections provided.
* 6,26,148 FTTH connections established in the last three years.
* The Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) was approved on August 4, 2023.
* Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is the Project Management Agency.
* Aims to provide 1.50 crore FTTH connections to households in the next five years.
* **4G Saturation Scheme and Mobile Projects:**
* 23,280 mobile towers have been commissioned by November 2025.
* 29,009 villages have been covered with 4G in the last three years.
* Expected completion of ongoing 4G saturation projects is December 2026.
* **Submarine Optical Fibre Cable (OFC):**
* Commissioned between Chennai and Andaman & Nicobar Islands (2312 Km).
* Commissioned between Mainland (Kochi) and Lakshadweep Islands (1869 km).
* **Project Costs (in crores INR):**
* BharatNet: 188,041
* 4G Saturation Project: 30,620
* Provision of Mobile Services in 7287 Uncovered Villages of Aspirational Districts: 2,876
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder:** Gram Panchayats (GPs) and Rural Areas
* **Impact:** Improved broadband connectivity, enabling digital services and access to information.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the available infrastructure to enhance local services and promote digital literacy.
**Stakeholder:** Households
* **Impact:** Access to high-speed internet through FTTH connections, improving communication, education, and entertainment options.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the provided FTTH connections to enhance their digital experience and participate in online activities.
**Stakeholder:** Mobile Users in Rural, Remote, Tribal, and Hilly Regions
* **Impact:** Increased 4G coverage, leading to better mobile communication and internet access.
* **Action Required:** Take advantage of the improved 4G coverage to enhance connectivity and access digital services.
**Stakeholder:** Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands
* **Impact:** Enhanced high-speed internet/data services through submarine optical fibre cables, improving connectivity and communication.
* **Action Required:** Leverage the improved internet infrastructure to enhance various sectors, including tourism, education, and governance.
**Stakeholder:** Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL)
* **Impact:** Being nominated as the Project Management Agency for the Amended BharatNet Program (ABP).
* **Action Required:** Successfully manage and implement the ABP to achieve the target of providing 1.50 crore FTTH connections.
Key Entities Referenced
Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF): Fund used for broadband and mobile connectivity expansion, especially in rural and remote areas.
Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN): Formerly USOF, supports projects aimed at providing high bandwidth internet/broadband connectivity and mobile services, accelerating broadband penetration in remote and rural areas.
BharatNet: Project to provide broadband connectivity to Gram Panchayats (GPs) and rural areas.
4G Saturation Scheme: Scheme to commission mobile towers in rural and remote areas to provide 4G coverage.
Ministry of Communications: Primary government body overseeing the projects mentioned.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2981
ANSWERED ON 17TH DECEMBER, 2025
UNIVERSAL SERVICES OBLIGATION FUND (USOF)
2981. SHRI VISHWESHWAR HEGDE KAGERI:
SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN:
SHRI BALABHADRA MAJHI:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:
(a) the current status of broadband and mobile connectivity expansion funded through the
Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), including the total number of villages provided with
4G/5G coverage and broadband access during the last three years;
(b) the details of mobile towers commissioned in rural, remote, tribal and hilly regions through
USOF support along with the timelines for completion of ongoing 4G saturation projects, State -wise
including Karnataka;
(c) the details of the steps taken under USOF to accelerate broadband penetration in rural India;
(d) the measurable outcomes of USOF-funded schemes during the last three years;
(e) the major USOF-backed projects presently under implementation, their sanctioned cost,
physical progress, and expected date of completion;
(f) the steps taken by the Government to expedite the setting up of mobile towers in tribal and
hilly areas of the country to address the problem of poor connectivity; and
(g) the manner in which USOF helped in improving the digital infrastructure along with the
notable projects or achievements attributable to said efforts?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) to (g) For providing high bandwidth capacity internet/broadband connectivity & mobile
services and to accelerate broadband penetration in remote & rural villages and Islands, including
tribal and hilly areas in the country, a number of steps & projects have been taken up through Digital
Bharat Nidhi (DBN) [erstwhile Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF)] support by the
Government. Some of the projects have already been completed and many are under
implementation. Details of the major projects are as follows:
i. BharatNet project is being implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband
connectivity to Gram Panchayats (GPs), including rural areas, in the country. As of Nov-
2025; 2,14,904 GPs have been made service ready and 13,92,767 Fibre to the Home
(FTTH) connections have been provided under BharatNet project in the country including
16,26,148 FTTH connections during the last three years. Further, Amended BharatNet
Program (ABP), approved by the Government on 04.08.2023, is under implementation for
up-gradation of existing network of BharatNet Phase-I and Phase-II, creation of network
in balance GPs and on demand basis in remaining non-GP villages from their respective
GPs. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has been nominated as the Project
Management Agency and will also have target of providing 1.50 crore FTTH connections
to households in next five years.
ii. Under 4G Saturation Scheme and other Mobile projects, till Nov-2025, 23,280 mobile
towers have been commissioned in the country and during the last three years 29,009
villages have been covered with 4G. The expected timeline for completion of ongoing 4G
saturation projects is December 2026. The State-wise details of mobile towers
commissioned in rural, remote, tribal and hilly regions including Karnataka through DBN
support is available on DBN website (https://usof.gov.in/en/home).
iii. Commissioning of Submarine Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) between Chennai and Andaman
& Nicobar Islands (2312 Km) and between Mainland (Kochi) and Lakshadweep Islands
(1869 km) for providing high speed internet/ data & other services to the Islands.
iv. Details of the project cost of major DBN supported projects is as follows:
Project Cost (Rs.
SI. No. Name of Projects
in crores)
1 BharatNet 188,041
2 4G Saturation Project 30,620
Provision of Mobile Services in 7287
3 Uncovered Villages of Aspirational 2,876
Districts
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