Authors: Sumeysh Srivastava, Mahwash Fatima, and Swathi Rao
Published: October 2024
Broadband internet is at the heart of India’s digital transformation, driving economic and social advancements while reshaping how Indians access essential services such as financial inclusion, education, and commerce. Yet, as the country pursues universal internet access, mobile-first growth has created a critical need for wireline broadband infrastructure that can deliver faster, more reliable, and lower-latency connectivity. With 95.6% of users currently dependent on mobile internet and only 4.3% using wireline broadband, India needs to develop a robust network infrastructure that combines fiber optics, Wi-Fi, and satellite communication to match the 80-85% fiberisation rate achieved by the US, China, and Japan.
This paper, authored by The Quantum Hub (TQH) for the Broadband India Forum (BIF), emphasizes that wireline broadband with its superior performance, is key to meeting the demand for high-speed low-latency internet and it underscores the foundational role of resilient digital infrastructure for India’s digital economy. The paper outlines a comprehensive infrastructure strategy across all the interconnected layers: the backbone (high-capacity fiber-optic networks), the middle mile (data centers, Content Delivery Networks, and Internet Exchange Points), and the last mile (satellite, mobile, and public Wi-Fi access). Strengthening each layer is crucial to achieving universal broadband access and enabling India’s ambitions of a USD 1 trillion digital economy by 2027, in line with its vision for a “Viksit Bharat” by 2047.
While India’s policies—like the National Digital Communications Policy (NDCP) and the National Broadband Mission (NBM)—have already laid a strong foundation, further steps are needed to accelerate wireline broadband adoption. The paper calls for strategic interventions to promote wireline adoption, including streamlined Right of Way (RoW) implementation, expanded fiber infrastructure through public-private partnerships, and enhanced submarine cable capacity for resilient, high-speed connectivity.
The paper presents targeted recommendations to support last-mile connectivity, expand rural broadband through satellite-based solutions, and empower local operators through reforms such as decoupling license fees for cable operators to encourage fiber connectivity. Additionally, it calls for the creation of a “Digital Readiness Index” to provide a standardized framework to track and address infrastructure gaps, guiding policymakers toward a cohesive national broadband strategy.