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 any time, 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.
The Telecom Sector in India has witnessed all round growth over the last few years. Along
with strong consumer demand, the liberal and reformist policies of the Government of India have
been instrumental in the rapid growth of the sector. The government has ensured fair competition
among service being available to consumer at affordable prices. Further it has made concerted
efforts at encouraging telecom equipment manufacture. The deregulation of Foreign Direct
Investment norms has led to an increase in FDI in the sector. India is currently the world’s
second-largest telecommunications market with a subscriber base of 1.18 billion. India’s mobile
economy is growing rapidly and currently constitutes more than 98 per cent of all telephone
subscriptions. The mobile industry is expected to create a total economics value of ₹14 trillion
(US$217.37 billion) by 2020.
Relevant Website: www.dot.gov.in
Tele-density
Tele-density, which denotes the number of telephones per 100 population is an important
indicator of telecom penetration in any country. Tele-density in India-was 91.64 per cent at the
end of November 2017. The rural tele-density is now 56.58 per cent while that in urban areas it is
167.50 per cent. Amongst the service areas, Himachal Pradesh (153.96 per cent) had the highest
tele-density followed by Tamil Nadu (124.38 per cent), Punjab (123.62 per cent), Kerala (118.58
per cent) and Gujarat (110,00 per cent). On the other hand, it is comparatively low in service
areas such as Bihar (60.13 per cent), Assam (68.41 per cent), Madhya Pradesh (69,47 per cent),
Uttar Pradesh (69.66 per cent), West Bengal (72.90 per cent) and Odisha (79.58 per cent),
Amongst the metros, Delhi tops in tele-density with 259.14 per cent, followed by Kolkata
(184.56 per cent) and Mumbai (169.97 per cent).
Internet and Broadband Penetration
The number of Internet subscribers (both broadband and narrowband put together) which
was 422.18 million at the end of March, 2017 increased to 429.23 million by the end of
September 2017. The number of subscribers accessing internet via wireless phones, etc., was
407.88 million at the end of September 2017. The number of wire-line Internet subscribers was
21.35 million during the same period. The number of Broadband subscribers was 350.70 million