No mobile coverage in about 55,669 villages so far, says Telecom Minister

NEW DELHI: Even after 20 years of launch of mobile services in the country, around 55,669 villages do not have mobile coverage till now.

"It is estimated that there are about 55,669 villages in the country that do not have mobile coverage," Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

Asked if even after 20 years of launching the mobile services in the country, there are around 56,000 villages where mobile telephone service has not reached so far, the Minister said "Yes".

Prasad said mobile service to uncovered villages in the country are likely to be provided in a phased manner over a period of five years with funding from universal service obligation fund (USOF).

"Detailed project report consisting of technical framework and cost estimates for Himalayan states (Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand) is under preparation," he said.

The Minister added that providing mobile coverage to 8,621 uncovered villages in the North Eastern region has been included in the comprehensive telecom development plan for the region approved by the government.