New Delhi: Assam and Sikkim have achieved complete mobile network coverage across all their border villages, while several other northeastern states continue to face significant connectivity gaps, according to a recent reply by the Ministry of Communications in the Lok Sabha. The data was shared in response to an unstarred question raised by Sikkim MP Dr. Indra Hang Subba regarding mobile connectivity in remote and border areas of the Northeast.
Of the 5,200 villages and habitations located in the border areas of the region, 4,696 currently have mobile network access, leaving 504 villages still without coverage. Assam, with 1,237 border villages, and Sikkim, with 68, have both achieved 100 percent connectivity. In contrast, Manipur and Nagaland are among the lowest performers—Manipur has connected only 194 out of its 263 villages, while Nagaland has managed to reach just 96 of its 135.
Arunachal Pradesh, which has the largest number of border villages in the region at 1,502, still has 337 villages lacking mobile coverage. Meghalaya fares comparatively well, with 1,238 of its 1,272 villages connected. Mizoram has achieved coverage in 365 of 378 villages, while Tripura has extended mobile networks to 333 out of its 345 border habitations.
The government said mobile coverage for the remaining villages is being implemented under schemes supported by the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), which funds telecom infrastructure rollout in rural and remote areas. As of June 2025, 11 mobile sites have been commissioned in Sikkim under the DBN, extending connectivity to 13 villages, including those located along the border.
Between the financial years 2020–21 and 2024–25, a total of ₹1,775.53 crore has been allocated and disbursed under various DBN schemes to strengthen mobile networks across the Northeast.
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