National Broadband Mission 2.0 Objectives

Credit: PIB

National Broadband Mission 2.0

The National Broadband Mission 2.0 (NBM 2.0) is a pivotal initiative by the Government of India aimed at enhancing digital connectivity across the country, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Launched in January 2025, this mission builds upon the successes of its predecessor, NBM 1.0, with a focus on providing high-speed, affordable broadband access to all. 

Objectives of National Broadband Mission 2.0

NBM 2.0 is designed to bridge the digital divide by extending broadband services to the remaining 1.7 lakh villages, with a special emphasis on remote and economically underserved regions. The mission aims to achieve several key objectives:

• Village Connectivity: Extend operational optical fiber cable (OFC) connectivity to 270,000 villages by 2030, up from approximately 50,000 currently. 
• Rural Household Broadband Access: Ensure that at least 60% of rural households have broadband connectivity. 
• Anchor Institutions Connectivity: Provide broadband connectivity to 90% of anchor institutions, including schools, primary health centers, Anganwadi centers, and panchayat offices, by 2030. 
• Enhanced Download Speeds: Improve the national average fixed broadband download speed from 63.55 Mbps in November 2024 to a minimum of 100 Mbps by 2030. 
• Right of Way (RoW) Reforms: Reduce the average disposal time for RoW applications from 60 days to 30 days by 2030, enhancing the ease of doing business. 
• Rural Internet Penetration: Increase the number of rural internet subscribers from the current 45 per 100 population to 60 per 100 by 2030. 
• Sustainable Energy Initiatives: Aim to power 30% of mobile towers with sustainable energy sources by 2030. 
• Infrastructure Protection: Promote the use of the ‘Call Before u Dig’ (CBuD) mobile app to safeguard underground telecom infrastructure and other utilities. 
• Collaborative Implementation: Work with central ministries, state governments, union territories, and municipalities to effectively implement the new RoW Rules 2024, issued under the Telecommunications Act, 2023. 
• 5G and Future Networks Rollout: Facilitate the deployment of 5G networks nationwide and prepare infrastructure for future technologies like 6G by developing robust, ready-to-use street furniture across the country. 
• Shared Telecom Infrastructure: Collaborate with stakeholders to establish common telecom ducts and utility corridors in all linear projects, improving maintenance and cost efficiency of telecom networks and other utilities. 
• Leveraging Power Sector Assets: Utilize power sector assets, such as Optical Ground Wire (OPGW), to enhance broadband connectivity, especially in remote and hilly regions, ensuring network reliability during disasters and emergencies. 

NBM 2.0 aims to propel India into a new era of digital transformation, aligning with the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) by 2047, and envisions India as a global knowledge society by providing high-speed broadband and meaningful connectivity for all.

To achieve these objectives, NBM 2.0 employs several strategies:

• Satellite Broadband: Utilize satellite technology to provide high-speed internet in remote areas where fiber networks are challenging to deploy.
• Power Sector Infrastructure: Leverage Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) from the power sector to enhance broadband connectivity, especially during emergencies.
• Collaboration: Foster partnerships between government, private sector, and civil society to improve the maintenance and cost efficiency of telecom networks.

Sanchar Saathi Mobile App

The Sanchar Saathi Mobile App is a user-friendly platform designed to enhance telecom security and empower citizens. Launched by the Union Minister of Communications, the app aims to provide a secure environment for all users. 

Credit: PIB

Available on both Android and iOS platforms, the app offers several key features:

• Chakshu – Reporting Suspected Fraud Communications (SFC): Allows users to report suspicious calls and SMS directly from their phone logs.
• Know Mobile Connections in Your Name: Enables citizens to identify and manage all mobile connections issued in their name, preventing unauthorized usage.
• Blocking Lost/Stolen Mobile Handsets: Facilitates swift blocking, tracing, and recovery of lost or stolen mobile devices.
• Verify Mobile Handset Genuineness: Provides an easy way to check the authenticity of mobile handsets, ensuring users purchase genuine devices. 

With over 900 million smartphone users in India, the Sanchar Saathi Mobile App ensures that essential telecom security services are accessible to everyone with just a few taps on their smartphone.

Impact on Digital Connectivity

NBM 2.0 is poised to significantly enhance India’s digital infrastructure, facilitating the rollout of 5G networks and preparing the groundwork for future 6G networks. By addressing broadband connectivity challenges in rural and remote areas, the mission aims to empower digital inclusion and provide universal access to broadband services.

NBM 1.0 and NBM 2.0:

Indicator	NBM 1.0 Achievements	NBM 2.0 Objectives
Telecom Towers	Increased to 8.17 lakh	Further expansion
Broadband Subscribers	Reached 941 million	Universal access
Village Connectivity	Connected around 50,000 villages	Extend to 2.7 lakh villages by 2030
Internet Speed	Average speed of 63.55 Mbps	Minimum 100 Mbps nationwide

Challenges and Solutions:

• Infrastructure Gaps: 30% of rural towers lack fiber connectivity. Solution: Incentivize private players via tax breaks.
• Digital Literacy: Only 38% of rural adults can navigate the internet. Solution: Integrate training with Modi’s Digital India Campaign.
• Funding: Requires ₹2.1 lakh crore investment. Solution: Public-private partnerships (PPPs) to share costs.

Conclusion

The National Broadband Mission 2.0 is a critical step towards achieving universal digital connectivity in India. By focusing on affordability, inclusivity, and high-speed internet access, NBM 2.0 is set to bridge the digital divide and empower digital inclusion across the country.

Also Read: Latest Indian Government Schemes 2025

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about National Broadband Mission (NBM) 2:

NBM 2.0 is an initiative by the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications, aiming to enhance broadband connectivity across India, especially in rural and remote areas.

The vision document for NBM 2.0 was unveiled in January 2025, with the mission set to commence on April 1, 2025.

3. What were the key achievements of NBM 1.0?

Under NBM 1.0, nearly 800,000 telecom towers were established, increasing broadband subscriptions from 660 million to 940 million.

4. What are the primary objectives of NBM 2.0?