Government implements saturation project to increase 4G connectivity in rural areas

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is continuously making efforts to strengthen telecom infrastructure and reduce the digital divide in India's rural, remote, and unserved areas, according to a PIB Delhi report. Significant progress has been made in the expansion of digital connectivity in rural India due to the government's 4G saturation project. As a result of this project, the number of villages without 4G connectivity has decreased by approximately 75 per cent. The number of villages, which was 45,180 in 2022, has decreased to 11,372 in 2026.

The DoT's 4G saturation project has played a vital role in this expansion. This project was designed to provide 4G services to 24,680 villages that previously lacked connectivity, so that people in remote and unserved areas can obtain reliable mobile communication services and the benefits of digital connectivity. Private telecom service providers are also contributing to increasing rural 4G coverage through their network expansion efforts.

Under the 4G saturation rollout plan of 24,680 sites, BSNL has operationalised 18,291 sites, which handle large volumes of data traffic in rural areas. In October 2026, these sites served a maximum of 10,21,048 active users in a single day. These users collectively used more than 1.86 crore GB (1,86,59,170 GB) of data, with an average usage rate of 18.3 GB per user per month. There are approximately 56 active users per site on average, serving scattered rural communities that were previously outside 4G coverage.

To address the remaining connectivity gaps, the government has approved an additional 26,000 mobile network sites for the upcoming expansion phase. Delivering connectivity to difficult geographical locations is a major challenge due to difficult terrain, high infrastructure costs, scattered settlements, and remote tribal settlements. The Department of Telecommunications is continuing its efforts to tackle these challenges through coordinated operations with BSNL and other telecom service providers.

The Department of Telecommunications will now prioritise coverage for the remaining unconnected villages, especially in remote, tribal, and aspirational regions. The construction of additional mobile network sites, expansion of network-sharing arrangements, and improved utilisation of existing telecom infrastructure will be key strategies to achieve comprehensive rural connectivity. Network expansion will be accelerated through better coordination with telecom service providers and targeted interventions in geographically challenging areas. These efforts aim to ensure inclusive digital access and enable rural communities to benefit from digital governance, education, healthcare, financial services, and other essential digital platforms.

The Department of Telecommunications is committed to the vision of a digitally connected India, so that the benefits of reliable mobile connectivity reach every corner of the country and no village is left behind in India's digital transformation.