According to the Economic Survey, total investments in the telecom sector increased by 327.63 per cent from $304 million in 2012-13 to $1.3 billion in 2013-14. Earlier, investments in 2012-13 had reduced by 84 per cent over the previous financial year.
The survey noted that series of reform measures by the government, innovations in wireless technology and active participation by the private companies played an important role in the growth of the telecom sector in the country. It further added that the foreign direct investment in the telecom and computer sector was greater than other services sector.
During 2013-14, the government received Rs 611.62 billion from auction of spectrum. Also, as on March 31, 2014, a total of 589,783 broadband connections had been provided and 14,186 kiosks were set up in rural and remote areas. These broadband connections have been provided by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited under the Rural Wireless Broadband scheme. A subsidy of Rs 3.29 billion was disbursed for the scheme till end-March 2014.
