By: Dr Satywan Saurabh
In this era of social media and communication revolution, several Indian villages remain disconnected or atleast poorly connected with telecom networks. As such, they remain bereft of several benefits of the government’s online schemes and facilities including schemes like Janani Express, 108 Ambulance, and 100 Dial etc.
India may be moving rapidly towards a 5G network today, but there are many rural areas of the country where people do not get the basic network. Getting internet speed is a far cry, to talk to loved ones on the phone one has to go several kilometers away to the area of the network. This is the situation in many rural areas today, where the reach of the network is nominal. If seen, today everyone has an internet connection available on mobile.
The situation has become such that today people can skip their one-time meal but they cannot even imagine their life without the internet for a few hours. It has become an important part of our life. In such a situation, how would the people of the village do their work? This is beyond our imagination. The question arises whether an internet facility will ever be available in this village in this era of 5G?
Mobile service has now become a necessity for people. Mobiles are seen in every hand. Without mobiles, one has to face difficulties in carrying out tasks. On the other hand, the country’s PM Narendra Modi is promoting Digital India, cashless and mobile banking. However, the wishes of Digital India seem to be dashed due to the arbitrariness of mobile companies. Consumers are facing a lot of problems due to the arbitrariness of mobile companies. On the other hand, the 4G service is also not working properly now. Consumers said that 4G internet service is working like 2G service. Due to slow internet service, no site is opening, so all the consumers have demanded private company management to fix it as soon as possible and relieve all of us from the problems.
According to the latest telecom subscription data, urban teledensity in the country is 127% while rural teledensity is 58%. Land acquisition, permits, and reliable power supply are required to install cell towers, which can be challenging in remote areas. Additionally, rugged terrain can make it difficult to maintain and expand networks.
Telecom companies struggle to justify the higher cost of installing towers in sparsely populated areas due to the low potential customer base and revenue generation. Average revenue per user in rural areas is lower due to limited disposable income and lower data usage compared to urban users. Limited knowledge and digital literacy among the rural population can hinder the adoption of mobile internet services. Complex and delayed licensing processes and spectrum allocation can hinder the timely deployment of networks in rural areas.
Schemes such as the Bharat Net project aim to lay fiber optic cables in villages to provide high-speed broadband connectivity. Additionally, subsidies for rural tower deployment and service packages can improve affordability. Collaboration between the government and telecom companies can leverage resources and expertise for efficient network rollout in rural areas.
Exploring alternative technologies such as small cells, drones, and balloons that can provide connectivity in remote areas with low infrastructure needs is also vital. Initiatives to educate rural communities about the benefits of mobile internet and equip them with the skills to use it effectively. This can increase the demand for these services and bridge the knowledge gap. E-governance and e-commerce: Promote e-governance and e-commerce initiatives to increase the demand for mobile connectivity in rural areas.
Bridging the urban-rural digital divide in India requires a multi-pronged approach that addresses infrastructural, economic, regulatory, technological, and socio-cultural challenges. By adopting innovative standards, enhancing infrastructure development, streamlining the regulatory framework, promoting economic viability, promoting digital literacy, and developing localized content, India can significantly improve the deployment and use of cellular networks in rural areas, thereby driving inclusive growth and progress.
The writer is a Poet, freelance journalist and columnist,
All India Radio and TV panelist. <satywansaurabh333@gmail.com>
