Andhra Pradesh offers free land, subsidised power for rural mobile towers until 450 subscribers, reviewed every 3 years. Airtel, Jio, Vodafone Idea included.
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The Andhra Pradesh government will provide rent-free land and subsidised power for mobile towers in rural and remote villages, a move that lowers operating costs for telecom operators expanding into low-density areas.
The policy, issued by the state's Information Technology, Electronics & Communications Department, aims to bridge the viability gap that has kept many habitations without reliable mobile coverage. Telecom operators including Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio are part of the implementation framework. Vodafone Idea is also included, the order said.
The government will offer suitable government land without rental charges and subsidised power supply for new towers in uncovered villages. The subsidy will continue until a tower reaches an estimated break-even point of about 450 subscribers, based on prevailing rural average revenue per user. Once that threshold is met, normal electricity tariffs will apply. The support will be reviewed every three years.
The order also provides for Intra-Circle Roaming (ICR) facilities to allow connectivity across networks, ensuring efficient use of infrastructure where multiple standalone networks may not be viable. Participating operators must establish towers within prescribed timelines.
The decision followed a representation from telecom service providers seeking support to offset land and power costs in the initial years of expansion. The state has identified universal mobile connectivity as a key component of its digital development vision.
For Vodafone Idea, which has been under financial strain and has lagged in rural network investment, the subsidy could lower the barrier to expanding coverage. Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio already have broader rural networks but may benefit from reduced costs in deeper expansion. The threshold model ensures the subsidy is temporary and self-limiting.
The government expects the initiative to enable faster expansion into uncovered villages and provide a path toward 100% mobile connectivity across Andhra Pradesh.
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