In January 2025, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Madhavrao Scindia, Ministry of Communications (MoC), introduced several citizen-focused initiatives, including the launch of the Sanchar Saathi Mobile Application (App), the unveiling of the National Broadband Mission (NBM) 2.0, and the inauguration of the Intra Circle Roaming(ICR) facility at Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN)-funded 4G (fourth generation) mobile sites in New Delhi, Delhi.
About Sanchar Saathi Mobile Application (App):
The Sanchar Saathi Mobile App is a user-friendly platform aimed at enhancing telecom security and empowering citizens. It enables users to secure their telecom services and protect against fraud.
Key features:
i.Chakshu: Allows users to report Suspected Fraudulent Communications (SFC) such as calls and SMS (Short Message Service) directly from mobile logs.
ii.Citizens can monitor all mobile connections registered in their name to prevent unauthorized usage.
iii.Users can block, trace, and recover lost or stolen devices.The app helps users verify the authenticity of mobile handsets, ensuring they purchase genuine products.
Note: Sanchar Saathi portal was launched in 2023 by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), MoC.
About National Broadband Mission (NBM) 2.0:
NBM 2.0, is an expansion of the earlier NBM 1.0 and aims to further develop India’s digital infrastructure.
- Under NBM 2.0, the government intends to connect the remaining 1.7 lakh villages and improve the broadband speed to 100 Mbps (Megabits per second).
Key features:
i.Extending Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) connectivity to 2.7 lakh villages by 2030.
ii।Providing broadband access to 90% of essential institutions like schools, healthcare centers, and Panchayat offices by 2030.
iii.Improving the national average broadband download speed from 63.55 Mbps to 100 Mbps by 2030.
iv.Mapping government-owned fibre networks by 2026.
v.Reducing Right of Way (RoW) application processing time from 60 days to 30 days by 2030.
vi.Increasing the number of rural internet subscribers , Ensuring 30% of mobile towers are powered by sustainable energy by 2030.
vii.Promoting the use of the Call Before u Dig (CBuD) app which was launched in 2023, Collaboration with various stakeholders will ensure the implementation of the (Right of Way) RoW Rules 2024.
viii.Leveraging Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) from the power sector will improve broadband connectivity and network resilience, particularly in remote areas.
Note: NBM 1.0, was launched in 2019 as part of the National Digital Communications Policy(NDCP) 2018.
About Intra Circle Roaming(ICR) facility:Â
With the launch of Intra Circle Roaming (ICR) at Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN)-funded 4G sites, subscribers of multiple Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) can now access 4G services from the same tower, improving connectivity with lower costs.
- It will provide seamless 4G access to over 35,400 villages across approximately 27,000 towers.
Note: The DBN, formerly Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), funds mobile towers to improve telecom connectivity in rural areas.
