BEYOND MOBILE: FIXING INDIA’S AFFORDABLE BROADBAND CHALLENGE

How PM-WANI and fibre-based broadband can unlock digital connectivity, slash broadband costs for millions of Indians.

- TV RAMACHANDRAN

India is on an ambitious journey to achieve comprehensive digital inclusion and equitable broadband access for all citizens. However, the country’s overall Internet density—comprising both narrowband and broadband connections—stands at approximately 69%, with rural connectivity notably lower at 45%.

Given India’s demographic composition, this suggests that a substantial portion of the population remains digitally excluded, largely due to affordability constraints.

The urban-rural digital divide has remained between 65% and 70% over the past four to five years, indicating limited progress and necessitating a critical reassessment of the current connectivity landscape.

WHY MOBILE TARIFFS MISS THE AFFORDABILITY MARK

India’s broadband landscape remains predominantly mobile-centric, which results in suboptimal data utilisation and higher per-unit consumer costs. However, there is limited public awareness of these implications. India’s Internet density, both narrowband and broadband connections, stands at approximately 69%, with rural connectivity notably lower at 45%.

Transitioning towards or complementing mobile broadband with more sustainable, high-quality and economically efficient solutions such as fibre-based fixed broadband (FBB), particularly through initiatives like PM-WANI, can substantially boost data usage and enhance inclusive digital growth.

According to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's (TRAI) Performance Indicator Report for October–December 2024, the average revenue realisation per GB of wireless (mobile) data stands at Rs 9.34. The average monthly mobile data usage per subscriber is 21.52 GB, resulting in an annual cost of approximately Rs 2,850 (inclusive of GST). In comparison, a prepaid data pack priced at Rs 249 with a 28-day validity (1 GB per day) costs about Rs 3,246 annually. Another plan offering 25 GB per month costs approximately Rs 4,260 per month.