LACK OF DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE

 Digital Infrastructure is 1 integrated system. Digital

Infrastructure is the key foundation and enabler for the 21st
century economy.

 Digital Infrastructure includes 2 categories:

(hard) physical and (soft) non-physical

Access to affordable, good-quality Internet is central to development,

Without adequate access to digital technologies, people may find it
difficult to access information, communicate with others, and
participate in the digital economy. This can limit their opportunities
for education, employment, and economic growth. nearly half the
global population remains unconnected to the Internet and many more
have expensive, low-quality connections. The financing need for
digital infrastructure is not being met. An estimated USD 100 billion
investment will be required in Africa alone to achieve universal
broadband Internet access by 2030

All India's private-sector operators increased their tariffs last year.

Recently, Bharti Airtel, India's second-largest service provider, began
charging more for entry-level plans in two circles (service areas). It is
believed that the rising tariffs and the growing price of devices
definitely impact digital adoption in India.

India’s digital transformation represents both a challenge and an

opportunity. Private sector participation in infrastructure projects has
collapsed recently, with investment dropping by more than 50% in
2019. This drop is unprecedented and alarming. Like many other
sectors, infrastructure was brought to a near standstill by Covid-19.
However, the private sector retreat in infrastructure investment has
jeopardised recovery and the ability to build back better once the
pandemic is under control.
Rural penetration has remained almost static for the last two years.
And India had 520.30 million rural fixed and mobile subscribers at
the end of September, down from 530.06 million a year earlier,
according to data released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of
India (TRAI). Out of 597,618 inhabited villages, 25,067 still lack any
mobile connectivity or Internet services.

With the pandemic forcing schools to shut down, the Indian

government opted for online classes to ensure that students don't miss
out on their education. However, this move exposed the lack of digital
infrastructure in rural parts of the country.

According to a report by the Internet and Mobile Association of India,

only 22% of rural households in India have access to the internet. The
report also stated that the internet penetration rate in urban areas was
more than twice that of rural areas. This digital divide has made it
challenging for students in rural areas to access online classes and
continue their education.

Moreover, the lack of digital infrastructure has also impacted the

healthcare sector in rural India. With the pandemic straining the
healthcare system, telemedicine emerged as a viable option to provide
healthcare services to people in remote areas. However, the lack of
digital infrastructure has hindered the implementation of telemedicine
services in rural areas.