Date: 2025-12-03Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Union Government has undertaken several measures to strengthen telecom sector leading to significant growth in its digital infrastructure over the years
**Executive Summary**
The Union Government has undertaken several measures to strengthen the telecom sector, leading to significant growth in digital infrastructure. These measures include rationalization of Adjusted Gross Revenue and Bank Guarantees, dispensing with certain requirements for spectrum auctions, and permitting increased Foreign Direct Investment. The government is implementing schemes under Digital Bharat Nidhi to expand connectivity in rural areas. The information was provided on December 3, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Telecom Sector Strengthening Measures:**
* Rationalization of Adjusted Gross Revenue.
* Rationalization of Bank Guarantees (BGs).
* Rationalization of interest rates and removal of penalties.
* Dispensing with BGs for auctions held after 15.09.2021 to secure installment payments.
* Permission for surrender of spectrum after 10 years in future auctions.
* Dispensing with the Spectrum Usage Charge (SUC) for spectrum acquired in auctions held after 15.09.2021.
* Removal of additional SUC of 0.5% for spectrum sharing.
* Permission for 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in telecom sector under automatic route.
* Replacement of licenses under 1953 Customs Notification with self-declaration for wireless equipment.
* Replacement of paper Customer Acquisition Forms with digital storage of data.
* Easing Standing Advisory Committee for Radio Frequency Allocation (SACFA) clearance.
* Increase in spectrum tenure from 20 to 30 years.
* **Digital Infrastructure Growth (Data as of October 2025 unless specified):**
* Optical fiber cable network expanded from 17.5 lakh km (March 2018) to 42.36 lakh km (September 2025).
* Base Transceiver Stations increased from 17.3 lakh (March 2018) to 31.4 lakh.
* 6,34,019 out of 6,44,131 villages are covered with mobile connectivity, 6,30,676 have 4G services.
* Broadband subscriptions rose from 48 crore (September 2018) to 98 crore (June 2025).
* 3.80 lakh PM-WANI Wi-Fi hotspots installed.
* Data consumption increased from 8.32 GB to 25.24 GB per subscriber per month (Sept 2018 to Sept 2025).
* Average wireless data tariff declined from ₹10.91 to ₹8.27 per GB.
* **Digital Bharat Nidhi:**
* Government is implementing schemes to ensure equitable digital access.
* Includes 4G saturation projects and Amended BharatNet Program.
**Impact Analysis**
**Telecom Operators**
* **Impact:**
* Reduced financial burden through rationalized revenue sharing and Bank Guarantee requirements.
* Increased investment opportunities through permitted 100% FDI.
* Simplified regulatory processes for deploying infrastructure and acquiring customers.
* **Action Required:**
* Understand and comply with the new regulations.
* Leverage investment opportunities.
* Upgrade and expand network infrastructure to meet growing demand.
**Consumers**
* **Impact:**
* Increased availability of mobile connectivity and broadband services, especially in rural areas.
* Lower data tariffs.
* **Action Required:**
* Be aware of schemes like BharatNet and 4G saturation projects to benefit from increased connectivity.
**Government**
* **Impact:**
* Strengthening of the telecom sector.
* Growth of digital infrastructure.
* Increased digital inclusion in rural and remote areas.
* **Action Required:**
* Continue implementing and monitoring schemes under Digital Bharat Nidhi.
* Ensure compliance with new regulations by telecom operators.
Key Entities Referenced
Digital Bharat Nidhi: A scheme implemented by the Union Government to expand digital connectivity in rural and remote areas.
Ministry of Communications: The government ministry responsible for strengthening the telecom sector.
Amended BharatNet Program: A program implemented under the Digital Bharat Nidhi to expand digital connectivity in rural and remote areas.
4G saturation projects: Projects implemented under the Digital Bharat Nidhi to improve 4G coverage.
Ministry of Communications
Union Government has undertaken several
measures to strengthen telecom sector leading
to significant growth in its digital infrastructure
over the years
Union Government is implementing various schemes under
Digital Bharat Nidhi to expand digital connectivity in rural and
remote areas
प्रव तथ: 03 DEC 2025 4:46PM by PIB Delhi
The Government has undertaken several measures to strengthen the telecom sector in the country which
has led to the growth of telecom sector. These measures include Rationalization of Adjusted Gross
Revenue; Rationalization of Bank Guarantees (BGs); Rationalization of interest rates and removal of
penalties; Dispensing with the requirement of BGs (for auctions held after 15.09.2021) to secure
instalment payments; Permission for surrender of spectrum after 10 years (in future auctions); Dispensing
with the requirement of Spectrum Usage Charge (SUC) for spectrum acquired in spectrum auctions held
after 15.09.2021; Removal of additional SUC of 0.5% for spectrum sharing; Permission for 100% Foreign
Direct Investment (FDI) in telecom sector under automatic route subject to safeguards; Requirement of
licenses under 1953 Customs Notification for wireless equipment replaced with self-declaration;
Replacement of paper Customer Acquisition Forms with digital storage of data; Easing Standing
Advisory Committee for Radio Frequency Allocation ( SACFA) clearance for telecom towers and increase
in tenure of spectrum from 20 to 30 years.
This has led to significant growth in its digital infrastructure over the years. The optical fiber cable
network has expanded from 17.5 lakh km in March 2018 to 42.36 lakh km in September 2025, while the
number of Base Transceiver Stations has increased from 17.3 lakh in March 2018 to 31.4 lakh in October
2025. As of October 2025, out of 6,44,131 villages in India, 6,34,019 are covered with mobile
connectivity, of which 6,30,676 have 4G services. Broadband subscriptions have risen sharply from 48
crore in September 2018 to 98 crore in June 2025. Additionally, 3.80 lakh PM-WANI Wi-Fi hotspots have
been installed across the country as of 31 October 2025. Data consumption has also grown substantially,
increasing from 8.32 GB per subscriber per month in September 2018 to 25.24 GB per subscriber per
month in September 2025, while the average wireless data tariff has declined from ₹10.91 per GB to
₹8.27 during the same period.
Further, to ensure equitable digital access across the country the Government is implementing various
schemes under Digital Bharat Nidhi such as 4G saturation projects and Amended BharatNet Program to
expand digital connectivity in rural and remote areas.
This information was given by the Union Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development
Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar in a written reply to question in the Lok Sabha today.*****
MI/ARJ
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