National Broadband Mission 2.0, Objectives, Features

National broadband Mission 2.0 is a scheme launched by the Government of India focused on providing high-speed, affordable broadband access all over India. The scheme was launched for the first time in December 2019 in order to overcome the gap of digital divide across the country. Due to the successful implementation of National Broadband Mission 1.0, the government has now launched National Broadband Mission 2.0 that aligns with the vision of Digital India and accelerates digital infrastructure and provides affordable broadband access. In this article we are going to look into the National Broadband Mission, its objectives, and significance. 

National Broadband Mission 2.0 

The National Broadband Mission 2.0 vision document has been launched by the Government of India marking an important step in improving the digital connectivity all over India. The scheme has been launched after the successful completion of NBS 1.0 with the goal of extending broadband services to the remaining 1,70,000 villages, with a focus on remote and economically underserved areas. NBS 2.0 will strengthen and expand broadband infrastructure, making sure about creating a more inclusive and widespread digital access. 

National Broadband Mission Overview 

National Broadband mission launched by the Government of India aims at improving the digital connectivity in India especially focusing on rural and underserved areas. A part of the National Communications Policy 2018, the initiative aims to provide universal and equal access to broadband services. 

National Broadband Mission 2.0 Objectives 

Launched in 2019, the National Broadband Mission aims at enhancing broadband connectivity across the country. Upgraded in 2025, National Broadband Mission 2.0 aims to improve the growth of digital infrastructure. The objectives of National Broadband Mission 2.0 are- 

• The goal is to connect the remaining 1.7 lakh villages in India. 
• Expand the Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) connectivity to 2.70 lakh villages by 2030. 
• National Broadband Mission 2.0 aims to achieve minimum fixed broadband download speed of 100 Mbps all over India. 
• NBM 2.0 will provide affordable broadband services in order to overcome socio-economic divide. 
• The scheme will lay groundwork for 5G networks rollout and prepare for eventual deployment of 6G Technologies. 

National Broadband Mission 2.0 Features

The first phase of the National Broadband Mission (NBM 1.0) focused on building a solid digital infrastructure, including fiber-optic networks and expanding telecom towers. It successfully increased the number of telecom towers to 8.17 lakh and broadband subscribers to 941 million.

NBM 2.0 builds on these achievements with key goals: 

• Aims to provide high-speed internet to both urban and rural areas through digital networks. 
• Will provide environmental sustainability by providing 30% of mobile towers powered by sustainable energy courses by 2030. 
• Leveraging infrastructure like Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) from the power sector to improve connectivity especially during emergencies. 
• Ensuring that 90% of institutes like schools, primary healthcare centres and anganwadi centres have broadband access by 2030.