According to Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Minister of Communications, Electronics and Information Technology and Railways, the government plans to invest an additional $13 billion in the BharatNet project to boost connectivity and provide affordable internet to all. The government has already invested around $8.5 billion in this project bringing the total to over Rs 1 trillion.
Acknowledging the importance of connectivity, Vaishnaw emphasised the government’s investments in expanding the reach of 4G networks across the nation. He informed that a staggering $4.8 billion has been allocated to saturate the country with 4G coverage, enabling more citizens to access the benefits of high-speed internet connectivity.
Further, Vaishnaw also expressed his concerns regarding the dominance of a few big tech companies and emphasised the need for an alternative model to ensure the democratisation of technology and equal access for all. He added that the government is actively working on initiatives and developing indigenous core technologies to counter this. By developing indigenous core technologies, the government aims to reduce reliance on external sources and foster innovation within the country.
