India 2018

124 India 2018
operations and management, quality check, as well as end-to-end ICT solutions
and services.
Telecommunications
Communications sector has assumed the position of an essential infrastructure
for socio-economic development in an increasingly knowledge-intensive world.
The reach of telecom services to all regions of the country has become an integral
part of an innovative and technologically-driven society. As a result of
sustainable measures taken by the government over the years, the Indian
Telecom Sector has grown exponentially and has become the second largest
network in the world, next only to China.
Department of Telecommunications
Department of Telecommunication (DOT) is committed to provide secure,
reliable, affordable and high quality converged telecommunication services
anytime, anywhere for an accelerated inclusive socio-economic development.
The Department is working towards the objective of maximizing public good
by making available affordable, reliable and secure voice and data services.
Teledensity
The total number of telephone connections increased from 1059.33 million from
April, 2016 to 1194.99 million at the end of March, 2017, thereby showing a net
addition of 135.66 million. The mobile telephony posted a tremendous growth
of 136.48 million telephone connections from April, 2016 to March, 2017. It was
1034.11 million in 2016 and 1170.59 in March, 2017. Rural telephone connections
have also increased by 54.04 million during the same period. It increased from
447.77 million to 501.81 million. With this the overall teledensity has increased
from 83.40 per cent as in April, 2016 to 93.01 per cent in March 2017. The rural
teledensity increased from 51.26 per cent to 56.98 per cent in March, 2017 and
urban teledensity increased from 154.18 per cent to 171.52 per cent. There was
a net increase of 126.77 million in broadband connections. It increased from
149.75 million as in 2016 to 276.52 million in March, 2017.
Internet connections added during April, 2016 to March, 2017 is 79.53
million. Total internet connections was 342.66 million in 2016 and 422.19 million
in March 2017.
Spectrum Sharing
Spectrum sharing among operators was allowed for the first time in India in
2016 to increase spectrum efficiency. As on today, spectrum is being shared by
two service providers in 21 out of 22 service areas.
Bharat Net
For the deeper digital penetration in rural areas, the government has taken up
Bharat Net, in mission mode to link each of the 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats
through broadband optical fibre network.