In a significant development aimed at strengthening India’s telecom infrastructure and accessibility, Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya M. Scindia unveiled a series of initiatives, including the Sanchar Saathi Mobile App, the National Broadband Mission (NBM) 2.0, and the inauguration of the Intra Circle Roaming (ICR) facility at Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN)-funded 4G mobile sites.
Sanchar Saathi Mobile App Launch
The Sanchar Saathi Mobile App is designed to enhance telecom security and user empowerment. The app, available on both Android and iOS platforms, provides tools for managing telecom-related concerns, including reporting suspected fraudulent communications, identifying unauthorized mobile connections, and blocking lost or stolen devices. Additionally, the app helps users verify the authenticity of mobile handsets.
Scindia said that the app would promote secure telecom usage and ensure access to essential services. The initiative targets India’s growing base of over 900 million smartphone users.
National Broadband Mission (NBM) 2.0 Unveiled
NBM 2.0 was launched to build on the progress of its predecessor, NBM 1.0, under which nearly 800,000 telecom towers were established. Scindia outlined several goals for NBM 2.0, including extending optical fiber connectivity to 270,000 villages by 2030, improving broadband speeds to a national average of 100 Mbps, and achieving 30% sustainable energy usage for mobile towers by 2030. Other objectives include connecting 90% of key institutions such as schools and healthcare centers by 2030 and reducing the average disposal time for Right of Way applications to 30 days by the same year.
Scindia emphasized the role of telecommunications in enabling digital transactions, education, and governance, noting that India’s telecom infrastructure has facilitated extensive economic and social development.
Intra Circle Roaming at DBN-Funded 4G Mobile Sites
The introduction of ICR at DBN-funded 4G mobile sites aims to enhance connectivity in rural and remote regions. The initiative allows subscribers of different telecom service providers (TSPs) to use a single DBN-funded tower. This reduces costs for operators while expanding service availability.
The Minister highlighted that this facility, currently implemented across approximately 27,000 DBN-funded towers, would provide seamless 4G connectivity to over 35,000 villages. TSPs such as BSNL, Airtel, and Reliance are participating in the collaboration.
Sanchar Saathi Initiative’s Progress
The Sanchar Saathi initiative, launched in 2023, has made strides in addressing cyber fraud and telecom security issues. Its portal has recorded over nine crore visits, disconnected 2.75 crore fraudulent mobile connections, and secured more than 25 lakh lost or stolen devices. Other achievements include deactivating over 12 lakh WhatsApp accounts linked to cybercrimes and freezing nearly 12 lakh mule bank accounts to prevent financial fraud.
The initiative also introduced the International Incoming Spoofed Calls Prevention System, which reduced spoofed calls significantly within months of its launch. Collaborations with organizations including central security agencies, state police, and telecom providers have bolstered its effectiveness.
Achievements of NBM 1.0
NBM 1.0, launched as part of the National Digital Communications Policy of 2018, focused on building a robust digital communication infrastructure. Achievements include expanding optical fiber networks to over 419,000 kilometers and increasing broadband subscriptions to 941 million. The mission also addressed key operational challenges such as streamlining Right of Way processes through the “GatiShakti Sanchar” portal.