Govt Clears Rs 26,316 Crore Project To Provide 4G Mobile Services In Over 24,000 Uncovered Villages Across India

Union Cabinet on Wednesday (27 July) approved a project for saturation of 4G mobile services in uncovered villages across the country at a total cost of Rs 26,316 crore.

The project will provide 4G mobile services in 24,680 uncovered villages in remote and difficult areas. It has a provision to include 20 per cent additional villages on account of rehabilitation, new-settlements, withdrawal of services by existing operators etc.

In addition, 6,279 villages having only 2G/3G connectivity will be upgraded to 4G, the Ministry of Communications said in a release.

The project will be executed by BSNL using Atmanirbhar Bharat’s 4G technology stack and will be funded through Universal Service Obligation Fund.

The project cost of Rs 26,316 crore includes capex and 5 year opex, the ministry said.

BSNL is already in process of deployment of Atmanirbhar 4G technology stack, which will be deployed in this project as well, it added.

The ministry said that the project is a significant step towards the vision of the government to provide mobile connectivity in rural areas.

This project will promote delivery of various e-governance services, banking services, tele-medicine, tele-education etc. through mobile broadband and generate employment in rural areas, it added.