Question : Hi Speed Internet

(a) the details of the efforts being made by the Government to make India as a largest connected nation in the world;

(b) the details of the efforts being made to accelerate the work of providing internet facility in those States and districts across the country which have less or no access to internet facilities;

(c) the details of the measures being taken by the Government to provide hi-speed internet services in the rural and tribal areas of the State of Gujarat; and

(d) the details of the progress made under the village broadband connectivity scheme?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS
(SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN)

(a) to (d) Internet connectivity is provided in the country by the Government and the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) through wireless mobile and fixed wireline connections in phased manner. As per data provided by Telecom Service Providers and field units of Department of Telecommunications, it is estimated that out of 5,97,618 inhabited villages (as per Census 2011) in the country, mobile wireless coverage has been provided in 5,72,551 villages including 17,331 villages in Gujarat.
Further, in its endeavour to provide high speed internet/broadband connectivity, BharatNet project is envisaged in all the Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages of the country including rural and tribal areas of Gujarat. As on 01.11.2021, a total of 1,66,088 Gram Panchayats have been made service ready with broadband infrastructure under BharatNet including 13,888 in Gujarat.