New Delhi, July 2 -- The government has announced plans to invest an additional USD 18 billion in expanding and maintaining rural broadband infrastructure across the country.

The initiative aims to connect 40,000 additional gram panchayats and provide high-speed internet access to 15 million rural households through targeted subsidies.

Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, made the announcement during the India Mobile Congress 2025 roadshow held in Bengaluru.

The event was organised jointly by the Department of Telecommunications and the Cellular Operators Association of India.

Pemmasani emphasised the transformation of India's telecommunications landscape, stating that the digital divid...