India to have 730 million internet users by 2020: Report

The National Telecom Policy-2012 envisages 600 million broadband connections by the year 2020 at minimum 2 Mbps download speed. Further, as per National Association of Software & Services Companies (NASSCOM) –Akamai report launched in August 2016 regarding 'The Future of Internet in India', 730 million internet users are anticipated in the country by 2020.

Government has allocated 965 Megahertz spectrum through auction in October 2016 to various telecom service providers for access services. This will enable the telecom service providers to roll-out 3G and 4G services, which will facilitate proliferation of high speed internet facility, said Manoj Sinha, Union minister of communications in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

Further, for provision of broadband facility in rural areas, BharatNet project is also being implemented to provide 100 Mbps broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (approx. 2.5 lakh) in the country by using an optimal mix of underground fibre, fibre over power lines, radio and satellite media, he added. (KD)

ALCHEMPro News Desk – India