AP Plans 100% Mobile Coverage Across State
State to offers free land, power aid to plug mobile gaps: Reports
VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh government has unveiled a support mechanism to achieve 100 per cent mobile connectivity across the state by encouraging telecom operators to set up towers in rural, remote and commercially unviable areas.
Under the Cabinet decision, government land will be allotted without rental charges and subsidised power provided for new mobile towers in uncovered villages and habitations. The move is aimed at bridging the viability gap that has discouraged telecom companies from expanding into low-density and difficult-to-reach areas.
The Information Technology, Electronics & Communications Department operationalised the decision through G.O. Rt. No. 55 issued on August 7, 2026, with the concurrence of the Finance Department.
Under the framework, telecom service providers will receive suitable government land without rent for establishing towers. Newly commissioned towers will also be eligible for subsidised power until they attain commercial viability. The government has fixed around 450 subscribers per tower as the operational break-even benchmark, based on the prevailing rural average revenue per user.
Once a tower crosses the threshold, the subsidy will be withdrawn and the applicable electricity tariff charged. The support mechanism will be reviewed every three years, allowing the government to reassess assistance based on subscriber numbers and commercial viability.
The initiative also provides for Intra-Circle Roaming (ICR), enabling subscribers to access connectivity across participating telecom networks. This is expected to improve the use of infrastructure in locations where maintaining separate networks may not be commercially viable.
Telecom operators, including BSNL, Airtel, Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea, will be required to establish towers and related infrastructure within the prescribed timelines.
The government has directed district administrations and other departments to extend full cooperation for the rollout. District Collectors will facilitate the allotment of government land without rental charges, while the Energy Department will take necessary steps to provide subsidised or free power to eligible towers.
The government expects the initiative to accelerate mobile coverage in uncovered habitations and improve access to digital governance, education, healthcare, banking and other online services.
Officials said the support model was intended to provide a scalable pathway towards universal mobile connectivity across Andhra Pradesh.
