Devsingh Chauhan. file | Photo Credit: Twitter/@devusinh
Minister of State for Telecom Devsingh Chouhan said on 29 April that all uncovered villages would be covered by 4G network by 2024.
talking to PTIShri Chouhan said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi constantly inspires everyone to do more and mind matter‘ The episode exhorts government projects and services to take them to the people till the last mile.
“If we talk about 4G saturation project, around 38,000-40,000 villages do not have signal. Prime Minister says you have done a good job, but reach every home. We have planned to complete 4G saturation by 2024. is aimed at.” Chauhan said.
He was speaking on the occasion of the celebration of the 100th episode of ‘Key’. mind matter‘ is scheduled for airing on Sunday. The Minister said that 4G network in all the deprived villages will bring about socio-economic transformation and bridge the digital divide.
“It will bring a lot of socio-economic changes in the villages where 4G signals reach. Citizens standing at the last mile will be able to test the accountability of the government once they are digitally connected. Digitally connecting villages means people Shri Chouhan said to connect with democratic values.
The Union Cabinet had approved a project for saturation of 4G mobile services in unserved villages across the country in July 2022 at a total cost of Rs 26,316 crore.
The project will provide 4G mobile services to 24,680 villages in remote and inaccessible areas. The project has provision to cover additional 20% villages due to resettlement, new settlements, withdrawal of services by existing operators etc. In addition, 6,279 villages with only 2G and 3G connectivity will be upgraded to 4G.
The project will be executed by BSNL using indigenously developed 4G technology stack and will be funded through Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF). The project cost of ₹26,316 crore includes capex (capital expenditure) and 5-year opex (operating expenditure).
Apart from covering villages under the 4G saturation project, the government is also undertaking a drive to connect unconnected villages through state-owned telecom company BSNL along with private firms by providing financial assistance under USOF schemes.
The minister said that around 2.5 lakh villages have been connected with optical fiber and 4 lakh villages will soon be connected with high-speed broadband network. “In mind matterThe Prime Minister has talked about digitization and Digital India. We are working on the inspiration we got from him,” Mr. Chouhan said.