“Digital Connectivity Driving Inclusive Development; 100% 4G Saturation in Sight”: Union Minister Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia
Union Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia today stated in the Lok Sabha, in reply to a question, that in areas where installing mobile towers is not commercially viable, the government is ensuring connectivity through the Digital Bharat Nidhi. Under the 4G Saturation Scheme, approximately 30,000 villages have been identified. A target has been set to install 21,000 towers, of which 17,000 have already been completed.
He expressed confidence that in the coming period, 100% 4G saturation will be achieved in every village, fulfilling the vision of digital inclusion. Minister Scindia said that digital connectivity is not merely about technology, it is a vehicle for inclusive development that is propelling India towards self-reliance, empowerment and global leadership.
Earlier, replying to a supplementary question, Dr Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications, informed the House that for the first time in BSNL’s history, circle-wise performance across the country is being reviewed on a structured basis. While the Minister of State conducts monthly reviews, the Union Minister undertakes quarterly assessments.
Dr Pemmasani stated that both operational and financial parameters are being closely monitored. Ten key operational indicators — including cable faults, mean time to repair and BTS uptime — are reviewed regularly. A minimum benchmark of 95 per cent uptime has been set, with efforts underway to achieve 98–99 per cent uptime across most BSNL services in the coming months. He added that circles have been given flexibility to address manpower or operational gaps to ensure improved service delivery.
Dr Pemmasani also informed that manpower-related challenges affecting service uptime in certain BSNL circles are being addressed proactively. He said that where service disruptions are linked to manpower constraints, circles have been given full operational flexibility to readjust and deploy required personnel.
More details were also given in a written statement in the House as under:
With a view to strengthen BSNL and to make them robust, competitive and viable, Government has approved three revival packages to BSNL amounting to approx. Rs. 3.22 Lakh crores. These packages cover capital infusion, debt restructuring, viability gap funding for rural telephony, and the provision of 4G/5G spectrum, among other measures. Further, following initiatives have also been taken to improve national and international connectivity:
- In line with Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, BSNL has ordered one lakh indigenously developed 4G sites for pan-India deployment; out of these, 97,672 sites are installed and 95,511 are on air as of 15.01.2026. The sites are 5G upgradable from technology perspective.
- To enhance the network infrastructure and service quality, BSNL is executing the various schemes of Government such as 4G Saturation Scheme, Border Out Post (BOP)/ Border Intelligence Post (BIP), LWE Phase-I upgradation etc. The details of these schemes are available on https://usof.gov.in.
- Further, BSNL is a key implementing agency in the BharatNet program, India’s largest rural broadband initiative, which aims to connect all Gram Panchayats and villages with high-speed internet through fiber, satellite, and wireless technologies. The program is being executed by BSNL for last-mile connectivity and operations.
- BSNL has direct international connectivity with Saudi Arabia, UAE, Italy, Singapore, Belgium, UK, USA, Bhutan, Canada and Hongkong to strengthen and support international voice communication services.
The detail of the services being provided by BSNL in Shimla Lok Sabha Constituency of Himachal Pradesh are, as below:-
|
Services
|
Total subscribers
|
|
Leased Line & Enterprises Data Services
|
1,518
|
|
VSAT
|
20
|
|
Internet Backhaul
|
639
|
In Shimla Lok Sabha constituency, BSNL has commissioned 710 numbers of 4G sites under Phase IX.2 and 4G saturation projects, to ensure better and reliable connectivity across the constituency.
Further, Shimla Parliamentary Constituency of Himachal Pradesh comprises Solan, Shimla, and Sirmaur districts, covering a total of 24 development blocks. Out of these, 19 blocks are already connected through Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) media. The budget for connectivity to the remaining five blocks (Chopal, Nankhari, Kupvi, Shillai and Tirlokdhar) under Amended BharatNet Project has already been allotted. This would enable high speed broadband connectivity to all these gram panchayats.
In addition to above, BSNL has approved a rehabilitation/replacement/new OFC laying work of approximately 90 km.
(LS-STARRED QUESTION NO. 173; 11-02-2026)
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MI/ARJ