Data consumption is increasing, Rs 4.2 lakh crore needed to connect 24 crore homes with broadband services
Internet: Prashant Singhal said that currently four crore homes in India are connected to broadband. Of these, broadband access in urban areas reaches 3.6 crore homes. There are 30 lakh connections in rural areas. These need to reach 10 crores and 15.3 crore houses respectively by 2030.
To connect 24 crore homes in the nation to high-speed broadband services in the next six years, or by 2030, a massive investment of Rs 4.2 lakh crore will be needed. Details of this were provided by Prashant Singhal, partner and head of EY Global's telecom division, at the Broadband India Forum conference. He stated that Rs 2.7-3 lakh crore would go towards fiber installation, Rs 90,000-96,000 crore towards infrastructure, and Rs 6,600 towards WiFi and in-building solutions. Data centers will require an investment of Rs 9,700–14,100 crore, while satellite broadband services will require an investment of Rs 26,000–29,000 crore.
Singhal said, currently four crore homes in India are connected to broadband. Of these, broadband access in urban areas reaches 3.6 crore homes. There are 30 lakh connections in rural areas. These need to reach 10 crores and 15.3 crore houses respectively by 2030.
TV Ramachandran, president of Broadband India Forum, said the current fixed broadband infrastructure in the country cannot keep pace with the increasing data consumption. A minimum annual growth rate of 20 percent will have to be achieved in fixed broadband connections in six years. Broadband penetration to homes in America is 92%, in China 97% and in Japan 84%.
