4G network penetrates 95% of the population, internet connections jump to over 97 crore in June 2024

In a major step towards digital inclusivity and access, India’s 4G mobile networks now cover 95% of the population, according to the Ministry of Electronics & IT.

Internet connections rose from 25.15 crore in March 2014 to 96.96 crore in June 2024, registering a growth of 285.53%. Out of 6,44,131 villages, 6,15,836 have 4G mobile connectivity as of December 2024.

As a result of this growing internet penetration, ET reported in March that 5G smartphones in the sub-Rs 10,000 price range are likely to attract more attention compared to basic feature phones.


All feature phone vendors, including iTel, Lava, HMD, Karbonn and Cellecor, saw steep declines in volumes, while Reliance Jio slipped out of the top five list, the same report revealed. This leap in infrastructure supports a mobile subscriber base of 116 crore in 2025, highlighting the scale and reach of India’s digital surge.

Rural expansion

Under the Digital India initiative, the government has taken various measures to connect rural India through the BharatNet Project, which aims to provide affordable high-speed broadband connectivity.

As of January 2025, the BharatNet project has brought high-speed internet to over 2.18 lakh Gram Panchayats. Nearly 6.92 lakh km of optical fibre cable has been laid under the initiative.

Total telephone connections in India grew from 93.3 crore in March 2014 to more than 120 crore in April 2025, a recent PIB release revealed.

However, the telecom sector in India faces a spectrum cost burden, which is among the highest globally. The GSM Association, a global organisation representing mobile network operators, said in a report that the acquisition of new bands to support 5G and 4G networks increased the spectrum cost burden between 2015 and 2023.

To mitigate cost pressures, it suggested that governments prioritise the long-term growth of the digital ecosystem.