New Delhi, December 12 (IANS). Mobile network coverage in rural India has reached approximately 97 percent and out of 6,44,131 villages, approximately 6,22,840 villages have mobile coverage and out of these, 6,14,564 (95 percent) villages are connected with 4G mobile connectivity. This information was given by the government in Parliament on Thursday.
Dr Chandrashekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha said that 4,543 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) settlements have been identified as mobile connectivity under the Pradhan Mantri Janjatya Adivasi Nyay Maha Abhiyan (PM Janman). and out of these, 1,136 PVTG habitations have been covered with mobile connectivity.
Till October 31, 1,018 mobile towers have been approved under various mobile projects funded by Digital India Fund to provide 4G coverage to PVTG settlements. It is estimated that Rs 1,014 crore will be spent on this.
“The government is implementing various schemes under the Digital India Fund for expanding telecom connectivity through installation of mobile towers in rural, remote and hilly areas of the country, including PVTG settlements,” the minister said.
The ministry informed that as of October 31, 5G services are available in 779 out of 783 districts of the country. Further said that more than 4.6 lakh 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) have been installed in the country.
The government has taken several initiatives to expand 5G services, including allocation of adequate spectrum for mobile services through auctions and financial reforms.
The government said telecom service providers (TSPs) have expanded 5G services across the country and have gone beyond the minimum rollout obligations prescribed in the Notice Inviting Applications (AIA) for the spectrum auction.
–IANS
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