India’s Digital Revolution: Broadband Subscribers Reach 94 Crore, Data Consumption Soars to 21.1 GB
India’s Digital Infrastructure Expands Rapidly, Boosting Connectivity and Data Consumption
India has witnessed a significant surge in broadband subscribers, with a growth of 29.83% in a short span of two years, from 66 crore to 94.49 crore, according to the government. This rapid expansion has led to a corresponding increase in per capita average monthly wireless data consumption, which has doubled from 10 GB to 21.10 GB.
The speed of mobile broadband has also improved substantially, with the median mobile broadband download speed rising from 10.71 Mbps in 2019 to 144.33 Mbps in February 2025, as per Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index. This is a testament to the country’s rapid progress in digital infrastructure. The fixed broadband download speeds have increased from 29.25 Mbps to 61.66 Mbps during the same period.
The government’s efforts to strengthen broadband services have paid off, with the length of Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) more than doubling from 19.35 lakh route kilometers to 42.13 lakh route kilometers. The number of mobile towers has also grown from 5.37 lakh to 8.23 lakh, while Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) have increased from 21.80 lakh to 29.97 lakh, including 4.69 lakh 5G BTSs.
To further boost digital transformation, the government launched the National Broadband Mission 2.0 on January 17, 2025, aiming to accelerate digital infrastructure expansion, bridge the digital divide, and provide high-speed broadband to every citizen. The BharatNet project is being implemented in phases to extend broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages beyond GPs on demand.
To ensure better network reliability and service quality, the government has introduced an amended BharatNet programme, which includes upgrading the existing network, appointing BSNL as the single Project Management Agency for operations, and ensuring better network management through a dedicated Network Operation Centre.
Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Jitin Prasada, highlighted the country’s rapid progress in digital infrastructure in the Lok Sabha, stating, “The expansion of digital infrastructure has played a crucial role in this transformation.” The government is committed to strengthening broadband services across the country, and several initiatives are underway to achieve this goal. With the digital landscape constantly evolving, it is essential for India to stay ahead of the curve and continue to invest in its digital infrastructure.
Original Source: https://www.morungexpress.com/broadband-subscribers-in-india-surge-to-over-94-cr-data-usage-doubles-to-211-gb
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Publish Date: 2025-04-02 19:42:00