Connectivity – Andhra Pradesh Targets Universal Mobile Network Access Across Remote Regions
Connectivity – Andhra Pradesh is moving ahead with an ambitious plan to strengthen mobile connectivity across underserved regions, aiming to ensure reliable digital access for every citizen.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has instructed telecom companies to accelerate the expansion of mobile services into the state’s remote and underserved areas, emphasizing that every village should have dependable network coverage. During a high-level review meeting on information technology and telecommunications held at his camp office on Tuesday, the Chief Minister stressed that achieving complete last-mile connectivity remains one of the government’s top priorities.
Focus on Expanding Mobile Tower Network
Officials informed the Chief Minister that Andhra Pradesh currently operates 30,694 mobile towers across the state. However, around 2,310 additional towers are still required to eliminate network blind spots and provide uninterrupted coverage in difficult-to-reach locations. Naidu urged telecom service providers to examine the possibility of completing the pending installations within the next 100 days.
The review meeting was attended by IT and Communications Secretary Katamneni Bhaskar along with senior officials from the Department of Telecommunications, BSNL, Airtel, Jio, and Vodafone, who discussed strategies to strengthen the state’s communication infrastructure.
Government Assures Full Administrative Support
After reviewing the existing coverage data, the Chief Minister assured telecom operators that the state government would extend complete cooperation in obtaining approvals and resolving administrative hurdles. He also announced that authorities would soon provide a detailed geographical map highlighting areas that still lack mobile connectivity, enabling companies to prioritize tower installations more efficiently.
The government believes that coordinated planning between public agencies and telecom providers will help speed up infrastructure development while improving communication services for residents living in remote regions.
Amaravati to Receive Advanced Fibre Network
Naidu also outlined the digital infrastructure being developed for Amaravati, where an underground fibre-optic network is being laid to provide high-speed internet connectivity to homes and businesses. According to officials, the underground design is intended to reduce the need for repeated road excavation during future maintenance or network upgrades.
The state already possesses an extensive fibre-optic network extending approximately 169,638 kilometres. This infrastructure currently supports nearly 2.867 million active broadband connections, providing a strong foundation for future digital expansion.
Digital Literacy to Strengthen Public Services
The Chief Minister highlighted that expanding infrastructure alone would not be sufficient unless citizens are equipped with the skills needed to use digital platforms effectively. He encouraged telecom companies to partner with the government in promoting digital literacy at the grassroots level so that more people can benefit from technology-enabled public services.
He noted that mobile-based governance initiatives, including the WhatsApp-powered Mana Mitra platform and the recently introduced Sanjeevani health system, are designed to make government services more accessible. Improving digital awareness, he said, would help residents use these services with greater ease while reducing dependence on traditional administrative processes.
AI-Based Services Planned for Key Sectors
Looking ahead, Naidu said Andhra Pradesh is preparing to introduce artificial intelligence applications across multiple sectors. The proposed initiatives include AI-powered solutions for agriculture, healthcare, and education, such as an AI Agronomist, AI Doctor, and AI Tutor. These digital tools are expected to support farmers, improve healthcare access, and enhance learning opportunities through technology-driven assistance.
The Chief Minister also shared that a pilot programme is currently underway in the Kuppam constituency to establish uninterrupted mobile coverage throughout the area. The project is expected to serve as a model for expanding seamless connectivity to other parts of the state in the coming months.