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