Digital Infrastructure Providers Association (DIPA) has revealed that the telecom infrastructure including telecom towers, small cells and laying fibre cable has seen significant growth at 2x speed in the deployment of telecom infrastructure in India in last three years. The exponential growth in mobile broadband has fuelled the digital economy.

According to DIPA, in 2020 only 16 out of 36 states/UTs were aligned with Right of Way (RoW) rules November 2016. Currently, 35 states/UTs are aligned with the RoW rules 2016 boosting the creation of robust digital infrastructure in the country. In July 2020, India had 593,000 telecom towers, which has increased to 768,000 telecom towers in August 2023. The fibre laid in 2021 was 2,661,968 km which has now increased to 3,726,577 km in 2023.

Commenting on the findings, T.R. Dua, director general, DIPA, said, “The telecom industry has witnessed a transformative change thanks to the effective telecom reforms followed by various initiatives laid down by the government which has eased the telecom infra deployment process in the country leading to such a massive growth in just span of three years. The Department of Telecommunications’ intervention in various states had strike the right balance between fostering rapid deployment and ensuring that quality, safety, and environmental considerations are upheld.”

Getting the clearance for RoW applications used to be a big hurdle in faster deployment of telecom infrastructure in the country. The clearance of RoW applications which earlier used to take approximately 230 days now has come down to lesser than seven days and in few states, and telecom infrastructure industry has witnessed getting clearance of RoW application in one day as well.

India’s 5G roll-out is one of the fastest in the world. Telcos have deployed nearly 300,000 base transceiver stations (BTSs) since the launch of 5G services i.e., October 1, 2022 till  July 24, 2023. The number of internet connections in India are more than 836.9 million, number of broadband connections have reached to 816.2 million and presently in India the 1GB data cost is Rs 10.29.

This acceleration can be attributed to several key factors:

  • Technological innovations: Advancements in technology, such as more efficient base stations, improved antenna designs, and enhanced networking protocols, have allowed for quicker and more streamlined deployment of telecom infrastructure.
  • 5G rollout: The deployment of 5G networks has been a major driving force behind the increased speed of telecom infrastructure deployment. 5G promises higher data speeds, lower latency, and greater capacity, necessitating the installation of new equipment and infrastructure.
  • Government support and regulations: Government of India have taken steps to streamline regulatory processes and provide incentives to telecom companies to expedite infrastructure deployment. This has reduced bureaucratic hurdles and allowed for faster implementation.
  • Fibre optic expansion: The deployment of fibre optic cables, which provide high-speed and reliable connectivity, has been a major focus. Expanding fibre optic networks is crucial for supporting the increased data demands of modern communications.
  • Infrastructure sharing: Telecom companies are increasingly collaborating and sharing infrastructure to reduce costs and expedite deployment. This approach avoids unnecessary duplication of resources and speeds up the overall process.
  • Increased investment: Telecommunication companies, recognizing the potential of new technologies and services, have been investing more heavily in infrastructure expansion. This increased investment has enabled quicker deployment to meet growing demand.
  • Demand for connectivity: The rapid proliferation of connected devices, internet of things (IoT) applications, and data-hungry services has created a higher demand for network capacity. Telecom companies are responding by accelerating infrastructure deployment.
  • Automation and AI: Automation tools and artificial intelligence (AI) are being employed to optimise network planning, site selection, and deployment processes. These technologies help in identifying the best locations for infrastructure deployment and improving operational efficiency.
  • Improved project management: More efficient project management practices, including better coordination among stakeholders, improved supply chain management, and streamlined construction processes, contribute to faster deployment.
  • Satellite internet: Some regions with limited terrestrial infrastructure have turned to satellite-based internet solutions, which can be deployed relatively quickly to provide connectivity in remote areas.