Executive Summary:
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) addresses a question regarding the installation of Government WiFi towers in the border districts of Gurdaspur and Pathankot, Punjab. While most villages in these districts already have 3G/4G coverage, the government is promoting broadband through the PM-WANI framework and implementing the BharatNet project to enhance connectivity in Gram Panchayats (GPs). Various projects funded by the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) are underway to improve internet and mobile services in remote rural areas and islands.
Key Points / Main Content:
Current Connectivity Status:
* As of June 30, 2025, 1,675 out of 1,692 villages in Gurdaspur and Pathankot have 3G/4G mobile coverage.
* Gurdaspur has 287 PM-WANI hotspots, and Pathankot has 77.
BharatNet Project:
* BharatNet aims to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) nationwide, including those in Gurdaspur and Pathankot.
* The infrastructure is leased to Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) for internet connectivity in rural areas.
* The Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) was approved on August 4, 2023, for upgrading the existing network, creating networks in remaining GPs, and ensuring operation and maintenance for 10 years.
* BSNL is targeted to provide 1.50 crore FTTH connections to households in the next five years and is nominated as the Project Management Agency.
* As of June 2025, 13,01,193 FTTH connections have been provided under BharatNet.
Projects for Uncovered Areas:
* Various projects are being implemented to provide high-speed internet, data, and mobile services in uncovered remote rural areas, funded by DBN.
* These projects include the Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan (CTDP) for the North Eastern Region and Islands, schemes for LWE-affected areas, Aspirational Districts, border villages, and the 4G Saturation scheme.
* The 4G Saturation scheme, costing Rs. 26,316 Cr, aims to provide mobile coverage in all uncovered villages.
* As of June 2025, 21,748 mobile towers have been commissioned under government-funded projects.
OFC and 5G Services:
* Submarine optical fibre cables were commissioned between Chennai and Andaman Nicobar Islands (August 10, 2020) and between Mainland Kochi and Lakshadweep Islands (January 3, 2024), enhancing internet connectivity.
* A 225 km OFC network was created in Lakshadweep Islands for FTTH and other services.
* A scheme for Special Assistance to states for Capital Investment 2022-23 earmarked Rs 3000 crores for extending BharatNet to Villages for Last Mile Connectivity (LMC).
* 5G services have been rolled out across India, with 4.86 lakh 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) installed as of June 30, 2025.
Impact Analysis:
Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) / Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
Impact: Opportunity to lease BharatNet infrastructure for providing internet services, expand FTTH connections, and offer mobile services in rural areas.
Action Required: Utilize the BharatNet infrastructure to provide services, participate in government schemes, and expand network coverage.
BSNL:
Impact: Nominated as the Project Management Agency for BharatNet and tasked with providing 1.50 crore FTTH connections.
Action Required: Execute the BharatNet project efficiently, meet the FTTH connection target, and coordinate with other stakeholders.
Citizens in Rural Areas and Gram Panchayats (GPs):
Impact: Improved access to high-speed internet, mobile services, and digital connectivity.
Action Required: Utilize available services, adopt digital technologies, and engage with government initiatives for digital empowerment.
Key Entities Referenced
Punjab: A state in India, specifically mentioned in relation to the districts of Gurdaspur and Pathankot.
Gurdaspur: A district in Punjab, India, where the government is considering installing WiFi towers.
Pathankot: A district in Punjab, India, where the government is considering installing WiFi towers.
Prime Ministers Wi Fi Access Network Interface PMWANI: A framework to proliferate Broadband through Public WiFi networks.
BharatNet: A project (formerly National Optical Fiber Network) being implemented to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country.
Digital Bharat Nidhi DBN: Funding source (erstwhile Universal Service Obligation Fund USOF) for providing high bandwidth capacity internetbroadband connectivity and mobile services to remote rural villages and islands.
BSNL: A Public Sector Undertaking, nominated as the Project Management Agency for BharatNet and tasked with providing FTTH connections.
Andaman Nicobar Islands: An Indian island territory where submarine optical fibre cable has been commissioned to provide high speed internet data connectivity.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4594
ANSWERED ON 20TH AUGUST, 2025
WI-FI TOWERS IN BORDER AREAS
†4594. SHRI SUKHJINDER SINGH RANDHAWA:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government proposes to install Government Wi-Fi towers in the adjoining
districts of Punjab named Gurdaspur and Pathankot to make border area digital in fact;
(b) if so, the details of work plan prepared by the Government in this regard;
(c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
(d) the details of the steps being proposed to be taken by the Government to make villages digital
and tech savvy?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) As per Registrar General India data, out of the total 1,692 villages in Gurdaspur and Pathankot
districts of Punjab State, 1,675 villages have internet facility (3G/4G mobile coverage) as on
30.06.2025.
The Union Cabinet has also approved the proposal of Department of Telecom (DoT) to
proliferate Broadband through Public Wi-Fi networks under the framework of Prime Minister’s Wi-
Fi Access Network Interface (PMWANI). Currently, the count of PM Wani hotspots in the district
of Gurdaspur is 287 and is 77 in the district of Pathankot.
BharatNet project (earlier known as National Optical Fiber Network) being funded by DBN
is being implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats
(GPs) in the country including Gurdaspur and Pathankot adjoining districts of Punjab. This
infrastructure is leased to TSPs/ISPs for provision of internet connectivity in GPs/rural areas
including post offices/other Government institutions/ villages, schools, and private areas.
(b) to (d) For providing high bandwidth capacity internet/broadband connectivity and mobile
services to remote & rural villages and islands in the country that currently lack coverage, a number
of steps & projects have been taken up with funding from Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) [erstwhile
Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF)], Department of Telecommunications (DoT). Some of
the projects have already been completed and many are under implementation. Details of the major
projects are as follows:
1i. BharatNet project is being implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband
connectivity to all the Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages in the country. The infrastructure
created under BharatNet project is a national asset, accessible on a non-discriminatory basis
to the Service Providers, and the same can be utilized to provide broadband services, such as
Fibre to the Home (FTTH) connections, leased lines, dark fibre, backhaul to mobile towers,
etc. On 04.08.2023, the Union Cabinet has approved the Amended BharatNet Program (ABP)
under Design, Built, Operate and Maintain (DBOM) model, for up-gradation of existing
network of BharatNet Phase-I and Phase-II, creation of network in balance GPs, Operation
and Maintenance for 10 years and utilization. The connectivity to remaining non-GP villages
is proposed to be provided on demand basis from their respective GPs. BSNL will have target
of providing 1.50 crore FTTH connections to households in next five years. BSNL has been
nominated as the Project Management Agency. As of Jun-2025; 13,01,193 FTTH connections
have been provided by BSNL & other service providers under BharatNet project in the
country.
ii. For provision of high-speed internet/data and Mobile Services in uncovered remote & rural
areas of the country, various targeted schemes/projects have been implemented.
Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan (CTDP) for mobile connectivity in the North
Eastern Region, Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan for Islands (Andaman &
Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands), Scheme for providing mobile services in Left Wing
Extremism (LWE) affected areas, Schemes for providing mobile services in Aspirational
Districts, Scheme for providing mobile services in the border villages and other priority areas,
4G Saturation scheme to provide mobile coverage in all uncovered villages etc.. The project
for saturation of 4G mobile services for providing 4G mobile services in uncovered villages
in remote and difficult areas of the country is also under implementation at a total cost of Rs.
26,316 Cr. Till Jun-2025, 21,748 mobile towers have been commissioned in the country under
various Government funded mobile projects.
iii. Commissioning of submarine optical fibre cable on 10.08.2020 between Chennai and
Andaman & Nicobar Islands (2312 Km) for providing high speed internet/data connectivity
to Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Commissioning of Submarine OFC connectivity between
Mainland (Kochi) and Lakshadweep Islands (1869 km) (Total 11 Islands; Kavaratti, Kalpeni,
Agatti, Amini, Androth, Minicoy, Bangaram, Bitra, Chetlat, Kiltan and Kadmath) on
03.01.2024. Creation of 225Km OFC network in Lakshadweep Islands for provision of FTTH
& other services. These optical fibre cable projects have facilitated faster roll out of fixed line
broadband/internet services, mobile services (4G/5G) and other high-speed data services in
the Islands.
Government of India has launched a redesigned and expanded Scheme for the year 2022-23
named as “Scheme for Special Assistance to states for Capital Investment 2022-23”. A total amount
of Rs 3000 crores was earmarked for Part-V (Optical Fiber Cable) of the Scheme for Special
Assistance to states for Capital Investment 2022-23. Funds can be used to extend BharatNet to
Villages from the GPs covered as at present for Last Mile Connectivity (LMC) on the OFC to
Government Institutions (like School, Health Centre, Anganwadi, Police Station, Krishi Vikash
Kendra, Post Office, ration Shop etc.), Private Institutions and Households from Bharat Net
network.
Also, 5G services have also been rolled out in all States/ UTs across the country and as on
30.06.2025, 4.86 lakh 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) have been installed by the Telecom
Service Providers (TSPs) across the country.
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