India breaks into Top 50 in Network Readiness Index 2024
India leads in Key Indicators: AI, FTTH Subscriptions, and Mobile Broadband Traffic.
India has made significant strides in the global digital landscape, climbing 11 spots to rank 49th in the Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2024, compared to its 60th position in 2023. Released on November 21, 2024, by the Portulans Institute, a Washington DC-based non-profit research body, the report evaluates 133 economies across four key pillars: Technology, People, Governance, and Impact, measured through 54 variables.
India has not only improved its ranking but also increased its overall score from 49.93 in 2023 to 53.63 in 2024. The country has emerged as a leader in several indicators:
– 1st Rank: AI scientific publications, AI talent concentration, and ICT services exports.
– 2nd Rank: FTTH/Building Internet subscriptions, mobile broadband internet traffic, and international internet bandwidth.
– 3rd Rank: Domestic market scale.
– 4th Rank: Annual investments in telecommunication services.
Within the lower-middle-income group of countries, India secured the 2nd position, trailing only Vietnam. The report highlights India’s robust technological innovation and ongoing digital transformation as key factors in this achievement.
Driving Digital Transformation through Policy and Infrastructure
India’s improved ranking aligns with its broader advancements in the telecommunications sector, spearheaded by initiatives from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). Over the last decade, tele-density rose from 75.2% to 84.69%, while wireless connections surged to 119 crore. Rural broadband access expanded significantly under the Digital India program, with internet subscribers growing from 25.1 crore to 94.4 crore, reflecting a marked increase in wireless internet usage.
Reforms in spectrum management, streamlined regulations, and consumer protection measures have further bolstered the sector. The launch of 5G services in 2022 propelled India’s global mobile broadband speed ranking from 118 to 15, setting a benchmark for future advancements.
Pioneering the Future with Bharat 6G Vision
India is now focused on becoming a global leader in next-generation telecom technologies, driven by its ambitious Bharat 6G Vision. With significant investments in emerging technologies, enhanced data capabilities, and a robust telecom infrastructure, India is charting a path of continuous digital innovation. Its performance in the NRI 2024 underscores the nation’s commitment to digital transformation and global leadership in the telecommunications space.
