COMMUNICATION INFRASTRUCTURE IN INDIA

Published on 19 Feb 2025

India's communication infrastructure has rapidly expanded, featuring a vast network of mobile, landline, and internet services. With over 1.2 billion mobile connections and more than 800 million internet users, the sector is driven by major telecom players and government initiatives like Digital India. Ongoing advancements, including the rollout of 5G and investments in undersea cables and satellite technology, aim to enhance connectivity and support economic growth across diverse regions.

Key Components of Communication Infrastructure in India

• Telecommunication Networks

• Mobile Network: India has over 1.2 billion mobile subscribers, with a tele-density of 90.4% as of 2023. Leading telecom operators like Reliance Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone Idea dominate the market.

• Fixed-line Broadband: India had approximately 24 million fixed-line broadband subscribers by 2023, with BSNL and Airtel being significant providers.

• Internet Infrastructure

• Broadband Connectivity: The National Broadband Mission aims to provide broadband access to all villages by 2024. As of 2023, there are over 800 million internet users in India.

• Fiber Optic Networks: India's fibre optic network spans over 1.2 million kms, connecting major urban and rural areas.

• Satellite Communication

• Satellites in Use: India operates over 40 communication satellites, providing services for telecommunication, television broadcasting, and emergency communications.

• Satellite Capacity: The GSAT-19 satellite, launched in 2017, expanded broadband capacity by 1.5 Gbps.

• Data Centres

• Number of Data Centres: India has more than 150 data centres, with plans to increase capacity due to rising data consumption and cloud services.

 Opportunities of Communication infrastructure in India

• Growing Demand for High-Speed Internet

• Data Usage Growth: Mobile data consumption in India increased by 32% in 2023, with average per-user data consumption reaching 13.8 GB per month.

• Digital Services Expansion: The growth of e-commerce and digital services is expected to drive demand for robust communication infrastructure.

• Government Initiatives

• National Broadband Mission: Aims to provide high-speed broadband to 250,000 villages by 2024.

• Digital India Programme: Focuses on expanding digital infrastructure, including enhancing internet connectivity and increasing digital literacy.

• Private Sector Investment

• Investment in Infrastructure: Major telecom companies are investing billions in 5G networks and fibre optic infrastructure. Reliance Jio, for example, has committed $20 billion for its 5G rollout.

 Challenges faced by communication infrastructure in India

• Infrastructure Gaps

• Rural Connectivity: Only 40% of rural areas have reliable broadband access, compared to 80% in urban areas.

• Network Quality: Despite high subscriber numbers, network quality issues persist, with average internet speeds at 20.1 Mbps as of 2023.

• Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) Deployment: While FTTH is crucial for high-speed broadband, its rollout has been slower in India due to costs and infrastructure challenges.

• Regulatory and Policy Issues

• Spectrum Allocation: Delays in spectrum allocation affect the rollout of new technologies. The 5G spectrum auction in 2022 faced delays, impacting deployment timelines.

• Policy Uncertainty: Changes in telecom policies and regulations can create uncertainty for investors and service providers.

• Right of Way (RoW) Issues: Obtaining permissions and clearances for laying cables and towers can be time-consuming and bureaucratic.

• Taxation and Duties: Complex tax structures and varying levies across states can increase costs for infrastructure providers.

• Technological Disparities

• 5G Deployment: While urban areas are progressing with 5G, rural areas lag behind. Only 10% of the population had access to 5G services by mid-2023.

• Cybersecurity Threats: Increasing data breaches and cyber-attacks pose risks to communication infrastructure. India experienced a 25% rise in cyber incidents in 2023.

• Digital Divide: The gap between those with and without access to technology is widening, especially in rural areas.

• Outdated Equipment: Some areas still rely on outdated infrastructure, limiting the quality and speed of services.

Government Initiatives and Measures to improve it 

• Policy Reforms

• Telecom Policy 2022: Aims to facilitate ease of doing business, promote 5G deployment, and enhance infrastructure investment.

• National Digital Communication Policy (NDCP): Focuses on increasing broadband connectivity and digital inclusion.

• Infrastructure Development

• Bharat Net Project: Aims to provide high-speed internet to 2.5 lakh gram panchayats. By 2023, over 1.5 lakh gram panchayats were connected.

• National Optical Fiber Network (NOFN): Expansion of fibre optic networks to enhance connectivity in underserved regions.

• Investment Promotion

• Foreign Investment Facilitation: Simplified procedures for foreign investments in telecom infrastructure.

• Public-Private Partnerships: Encouraging collaboration between government and private sector to build and upgrade communication infrastructure. The Public Wi-Fi project aims to expand free Wi-Fi access across major cities.

• Digital Initiatives

• Digital India: An umbrella program focusing on enhancing digital infrastructure, including improving internet connectivity and promoting e-governance.

• Smart Cities Mission: Investing in communication infrastructure as part of the development of 100 smart cities across India.

Tags:
Economy

Keywords:
Infrastructure Communication Infrastructure Tele communications 5G Digital divide

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 3

Topics:
Infrastructure Development