AP CM directs Telecom service providers to achieve last-mile connectivity

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to make Andhra Pradesh a model state in communication infrastructure by ensuring seamless digital connectivity across urban and rural areas. He said the government’s priority is to achieve last-mile connectivity by extending communication services to even the remotest villages.

Addressing a review meeting with representatives of major telecom service providers at the Camp Office today, the Chief Minister emphasised the need to further strengthen the state’s communication network. He directed telecom companies to focus on improving mobile coverage, particularly in remote regions, through the installation of additional cell towers and enhanced network infrastructure.

Officials informed the Chief Minister that Andhra Pradesh currently has 30,694 mobile towers, while an additional 2,310 towers are required to achieve comprehensive coverage. IT and Communications Department Secretary Katamaneni Bhaskar briefed the Chief Minister on the existing network status.
Responding to the presentation, the Chief Minister assured telecom operators of government’s full support in facilitating tower installations and asked them to examine the possibility of completing the proposed installations within 100 days. He also directed officials to identify and share details of all geographically uncovered locations with service providers.
The Chief Minister stated that Amaravati is being developed with an advanced fiber-based communication network, ensuring that every household receives fiber connectivity without the need for repeated road excavations. Officials stated that the state currently has 1,69,638 kilometres of optical fiber network and 2.867 million broadband connections.

The Chief Minister also appealed to telecom service providers to partner with the government in promoting digital literacy among mobile users across the state. He said improved digital literacy would enable citizens to effectively utilize government services delivered through Mana Mitra WhatsApp Governance, the Sanjeevani initiative and other digital service platforms.He observed that empowering people with digital skills would allow the government to deliver a wider range of citizen services through mobile phones. Looking ahead, he said citizens would soon be able to access AI-powered services such as an AI Agronomist, AI Doctor and AI Tutor. The Chief Minister further informed that Kuppam Assembly constituency is being developed as a pilot project with complete mobile network coverage across all areas.