Steps taken to strengthen Telecommunication and Digital Communication Infrastructure - 23rd July 2026 - Ministry of Communications - Gazette Notification PDF
Issued by Ministry of Communications
Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Communications on 23rd July 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary & Key Takeaways
Executive Summary This report outlines the Government of India’s initiatives to strengthen telecommunication and digital infrastructure as of June 2026. Key actions include the streamlining of Right of Way (RoW) permissions, the expansion of 4G and 5G networks to rural and remote areas, and the launch of the Bharat 6G Vision. Notable milestones include the commissioning of 24,000 mobile towers under the 4G Saturation project and the approval of ₹543 crores for R&D projects.
Key Points / Main Content
Regulatory and Procedural Reforms
- Centralized RoW Portal: Launched on May 14, 2022, to streamline permissions for laying optical fiber cables (OFC) and installing telecom towers.
- RoW Rules 2024: Issued under 'The Telecommunications Act, 2023' to expedite infrastructure deployment by streamlining permissions and applicable charges.
Rural and Universal Connectivity
- BharatNet Project: Focuses on providing broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats and villages across the country.
- 4G Saturation Scheme: Funded by Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), this project has seen approximately 24,000 mobile towers commissioned by June 2026 to ensure coverage in all uncovered villages.
Mobile Network Expansion (5G & 6G)
- 5G Deployment: Services are available in 99.9% of Indian districts. The number of 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) grew from 1,40,623 in March 2023 to 5,62,971 by June 30, 2026.
- Bharat 6G Vision: Released in March 2023, aiming to position India as a global leader in the design and deployment of secure 6G technologies.
Research, Development, and Manufacturing
- Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF): As of June 30, 2026, 136 R&D projects in frontier areas (quantum communication, satellite networks, indigenous 5G core) have been approved with ₹543 crores in funding.
- Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme: Notified on February 24, 2021, with an outlay of ₹12,195 crores to incentivize incremental investments and boost domestic manufacturing of networking products.
Impact Analysis
Stakeholder: Telecom Service Providers and Infrastructure Developers Impact: They benefit from a faster, more transparent regulatory environment through the centralized RoW portal and standardized 2024 RoW Rules, reducing delays in network rollout. Action Required: Utilize the centralized portal for all infrastructure applications and ensure compliance with the new RoW Rules and fee structures.
Stakeholder: Rural Populations and Gram Panchayats Impact: Significant improvement in digital inclusion through broadband (BharatNet) and mobile connectivity (4G Saturation), facilitating access to digital services in previously uncovered areas. Action Required: Leverage the newly established 4G and broadband infrastructure for socio-economic activities and digital communication.
Stakeholder: Domestic Manufacturers and Researchers Impact: Financial support is provided through the ₹12,195 crore PLI scheme and the TTDF, encouraging innovation in indigenous 5G/6G technologies and local production. Action Required: Manufacturers must meet incremental investment and sales targets to claim PLI incentives; research bodies must execute approved R&D projects within the sanctioned funding frameworks.