“Connecting the unconnected and securing the connected — India’s twin pillars of digital transformation.”
On January 17, 2025, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) unveiled two major initiatives: the National Broadband Mission 2.0 (NBM 2.0) and the Sanchar Saathi mobile application. These initiatives aim to enhance digital connectivity and security across India.
NBM 2.0 focuses on connecting 1.7 lakh unconnected villages with broadband, while Sanchar Saathi empowers citizens to combat telecom fraud, manage mobile connections, and verify device authenticity. Together, they mark a significant step in bridging the digital divide and ensuring secure telecommunications.
📡 National Broadband Mission 2.0 (NBM 2.0)
NBM 2.0 builds on the success of NBM 1.0, which achieved remarkable results including installation of 8 lakh telecom towers and increasing broadband subscriptions from 66 crore to 94 crore nationwide.
Key Goals of NBM 2.0:
- Connecting 1.7 lakh unconnected villages with broadband infrastructure
- Ensuring 60% of rural households have broadband access
- Providing minimum 100 Mbps download speed across connected areas
- Expanding digital access for economic growth and technological empowerment
Think of NBM 2.0 as building “digital highways” to villages that currently have no internet roads. Just as physical roads connect remote villages to cities, NBM 2.0 connects them to the digital world — enabling access to education, healthcare, banking, and government services from anywhere.
| Aspect | NBM 1.0 (Achievement) | NBM 2.0 (Target) |
|---|---|---|
| Telecom Towers | 8 Lakh installed | Further expansion planned |
| Broadband Subscriptions | 66 Cr → 94 Cr | Universal rural coverage |
| Village Connectivity | Partial coverage | 1.7 Lakh villages to be connected |
| Rural Household Target | Not specified | 60% with broadband access |
| Minimum Speed | Variable | 100 Mbps download |
📱 Sanchar Saathi App: Your Telecom Security Companion
The Sanchar Saathi mobile app, launched by DoT, is available on both Android and iOS platforms. It serves as a comprehensive tool for telecom security and user empowerment, offering multiple features to protect citizens from fraud and manage their mobile ecosystem.
The app name “Sanchar Saathi” translates to “Communication Companion” — reflecting its role as a trusted partner for all telecom-related security needs.
Sanchar Saathi = 4 Key Functions: Report fraud, Manage connections, Block lost devices, Verify handset authenticity. Remember: “RMBV” — Report, Manage, Block, Verify.
✨ Key Features of Sanchar Saathi App
The Sanchar Saathi app includes four powerful features designed to enhance telecom security:
Don’t confuse: Sanchar Saathi is launched by DoT (Department of Telecommunications), not TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India). Also, it’s a mobile APP available on Android/iOS — not a website-only portal. The app consolidates features that were earlier available separately on the Sanchar Saathi web portal.
🔄 Intra-Circle Roaming (ICR) at DBN-Funded Sites
A significant feature announced alongside NBM 2.0 is Intra-Circle Roaming (ICR) at Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN)-funded 4G mobile sites:
- What is ICR? Allows users from multiple telecom providers (BSNL, Airtel, Reliance Jio) to access 4G services from a single shared tower
- Where? At towers funded by Digital Bharat Nidhi (formerly USOF — Universal Service Obligation Fund)
- Benefit: Improves network efficiency, reduces infrastructure duplication, and offers greater flexibility for consumers in remote areas
This means a Jio customer in a remote village can use an Airtel-operated tower (if DBN-funded) without changing their SIM or service provider.
ICR is essentially “infrastructure sharing” — instead of each telecom company building separate towers in remote areas (expensive and inefficient), one tower serves all providers. This is similar to how multiple airlines use the same airport. How might this change the competitive dynamics of India’s telecom sector?
🌍 Impact & Significance
These initiatives reflect India’s multi-pronged approach to digital transformation:
- Bridging Digital Divide: NBM 2.0 ensures even the remotest villages get high-speed internet access
- Telecom Security: Sanchar Saathi empowers citizens to protect themselves from fraud
- Infrastructure Efficiency: ICR reduces duplication and improves resource utilization
- Economic Growth: Digital connectivity enables e-commerce, digital payments, and online services in rural areas
- Government Services: Better connectivity means easier access to welfare schemes, DBT, and e-governance
These initiatives connect to larger themes: Digital India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and inclusive growth. Discuss: Can digital connectivity alone bridge socio-economic divides? What role do digital literacy and affordable devices play in making broadband access meaningful?
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NBM 2.0 aims to connect 1.7 lakh unconnected villages with broadband infrastructure.
NBM 2.0 targets a minimum download speed of 100 Mbps for connected areas.
The Sanchar Saathi app was launched by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), not TRAI.
Sanchar Saathi app allows users to: report fraud, manage connections, block lost devices, and verify handset authenticity — four key features.
ICR allows users from BSNL, Airtel, and Jio to share DBN-funded 4G towers in remote areas.
