Jyotiraditya M Scindia, Union Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, has launched a suite of citizen-focused initiatives in a landmark move to enhance telecom accessibility, security, and empowerment across India. Key highlights included the launch of Sanchar Saathi Mobile App, National Broadband Mission (NBM) 2.0 and inauguration of the Intra Circle Roaming  facility at DBN Funded 4G Mobile Sites.

The Sanchar Saathi Mobile App is a user-friendly platform designed to fortify telecom security and empower citizens. Scindia emphasised that the Sanchar Saathi App is committed to maintaining the security, safety, and trustworthiness of telecom networks for everyone. With over 0.9 billion smart phone users in the country, the app aims to ensure that every individual has access to vital services with just a few taps on their smartphone.

Key features of the app include:

  • Chakshu – reporting suspected fraud communications (SFC): Users can report suspected calls and SMS using app and directly from mobile phone logs.
  • Know mobile connections in your name: Citizens can identify and manage all mobile connections issued in their name, ensuring no unauthorised usage.
  • Blocking your lost/ stolen mobile handset: Lost or stolen mobile devices can be swiftly blocked, traced and recovered.
  • Know mobile handset genuineness: The app offers an easy way to verify the authenticity of mobile handsets, ensuring users purchase genuine devices.

Scindia stated, “This initiative not only provides access to opportunities but also ensures a secure environment for all users.”

Further, the minster launched NBM 2.0 by unveiling its vision document. He highlighted that NBM 2.0 builds on the success of NBM 1.0, under which nearly 0.08 million towers were established. He remarked, “Broadband subscriptions have increased from 0.66 billion to 0.94 billion. This growth serves as the fulcrum, the foundation, and the basis for the launch of NBM 2.0.”

He further elaborated, “Today, India has emerged as a global leader in both telecom and digital sectors. Over 531 million Indians are now connected to electronic banking. Through unified payments interface (UPI), powered by our robust telecom network, we facilitated 172 billion transactions last year, amounting to nearly Rs 247 trillion. The nation’s growth is intrinsically tied to the strength of our telecom network. It was with this vision that NBM was launched.”

He emphasised that the primary objective of NBM 2.0 is to connect the remaining 0.17 million villages across the country and to achieve ambitious milestones. “Our goal is to ensure that at least 60 out of every 100 rural households have access to broadband connectivity. Additionally, we aim to achieve a minimum fixed broadband download speed of 100 Mbps, creating a robust digital infrastructure for rural India,” he added.

From e-governance to disaster management, NBM 2.0 promises to transform every sector and has the potential to spark positive changes nationwide. This initiative is not merely about expanding infrastructure, it is about sowing the seeds for a digitally inclusive future, where connectivity empowers every citizen. As India advances on this digital journey, the mission is clear- to create a connected, resilient, and sustainable India where technology and innovation thrive for the prosperity of all. The NBM 2.0 aims to propel India into a new era of digital transformation. Aligning with the government’s vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047, it envisions India as a global knowledge society by providing high-speed broadband and meaningful connectivity for all. Building on the success of NBM 1.0 (2019-2024), following will be the key benefits of NBM 2.0:

  • Extending operational optical fibre cable (OFC) connectivity to 0.27 million villages by 2030 with 95 per cent uptime from approximately 50,000 as of now.
  • To provide broadband connectivity to 90 per cent of anchor institutions like schools, primary health cares (PHCs), anganwadi centre, and panchayat offices by 2030.
  • Improve the fixed broadband download speeds- national average from 63.55 Mbps in November 2024 to a minimum 100 Mbps by 2030.
  • To achieve 100 per cent mapping of fibre networks owned by government public sector undertakings (PSUs) by 2026 on PM GatiShakti National MasterPlan Platform (PMGS) and use PMGS for planning of additional Bharatnet project.
  • For ease of doing business – reduce the Right of Way (RoW) application average disposal time from 60 days (now) to 30 days by 2030. In 2019 it was 449 days.
  • Increase the number of rural internet subscribers per 100 population from the current 45 to 60 by 2030.
  • Achieve the target of powering 30 per cent of mobile towers with sustainable energy by 2030.
  • Work on enhancing the usage of the ‘Call Before u Dig’ (CBuD) mobile app to protect underground telecom infrastructure and other utilities. It was launched it in March 2023.
  • Collaborate with all stakeholders viz. central ministries and departments, States, union territories and municipalities to ensure the effective implementation of the new RoW Rules 2024, issued under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
  • To facilitate rollout of the 5G network, in nook and corner of the country and for futuristic networks of 6G, work to create a robust, ready to use street furniture infrastructure across the country.
  • To work with all stakeholders for common/shareable telecom ducts and utility corridors in all linear projects to improve the maintenance and cost efficiency of telecom networks and other utilities.
  • Leveraging power sector assets such as optical ground wire (OPGW) for enhanced broadband connectivity and to improve broadband network reliability, survivability and resiliency during disasters, wars, and other emergencies, in far-flung, remote and hilly regions of the country, where traditional infrastructure might be challenging to deploy.

Furthermore, Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), has undertaken an important role in bridging the telecom gap across rural and remote areas through its extensive mobile tower projects. The telecom towers funded by DBN in such difficult areas are catering to the subscribers of the specific telecom service provider (TSP) who has installed the mobile tower with DBN funding.  So far, subscribers of other TSPs do not get the benefit of the DBN funded tower.

The minister also inaugurated Intra Circle Roaming (ICR) at DBN-funded 4G mobile sites. He emphasised the significance of this initiative, stating, “This is a crucial pillar, with three of our TSPs, joining forces to leverage each other’s infrastructure at all DBN-funded sites. With nearly 27,836 such sites, we are ensuring not only connectivity but also providing customers across the country with the freedom of choice.”

ICR between TSPs at DBN funded 4G mobile sites will enable subscribers of multiple TSPs to enjoy 4G services from a single DBN funded tower instead of having multiple towers for the various TSPs. Therefore, more subscribers are benefited through a lower capital expenditure investment of the operators and government. This initiative promises seamless 4G connectivity for over 35,400 rural and remote villages served by approximately such 27,000 towers.

In addition, highlighting the citizen-centric initiatives of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Dr Neeraj Mittal, secretary, DoT, emphasised that the Sanchar Saathi Mobile Application will empower individuals and enhance collective efforts to curb the menace of scams. He pointed out that the Intra Operator Roaming on DBN funded sites will especially be useful for those in remote regions of the country.