Title: Connecting the Unconnected:

Understanding and Overcoming

Barriers to Fixed Broadband
Adoption Across India
1.Introduction

1.1 Background:

India has seen tremendous growth in internet users over the past decade, largely driven by
the smartphone and mobile data revolution. However, a stark digital divide persists in terms
of fixed broadband connectivity and adoption. As per recent estimates, over 60% of Indian
households still lack access to wired broadband connections that can deliver the high
speeds and reliability needed for many essential services, e-governance, education,
telemedicine, multimedia entertainment and more (IAMAI, 2022).

This wired broadband divide mirrors wider inequalities in income, education, digital literacy
and geography. While mobile broadband has achieved scale, fiber/cable-based fixed line
internet remains unattainable for many low income, rural, remote and marginalized
population segments. Bridging this divide is critical, given the growing centrality of universal
internet access for economic participation, social empowerment and realization of national
development goals.

The COVID-19 pandemic underscored these disparities, as communities with poor

connectivity faced exclusion from access to remote work, education, healthcare, social
support and government stimulus measures delivered online (Kapur et al., 2021). India’s
digital future depends on bridging this fixed broadband divide through sustainable solutions
tailored to the needs of the unconnected.

Major government initiatives expanding digital infrastructure and broadband connectivity

include BharatNet, Bharat Broadband Network Limited, Bharat WiFi, PM WANI and satellite
broadband services. However, huge adoption gaps remain even where infrastructure is
present due to behavioral, social, economic, literacy and local relevance barriers that
constrain demand and adoption.

Achieving universal access will require nuanced, hyperlocal solutions catering to users'
specific needs. This research aims to provide rigorous empirical evidence to enhance design
and implementation of connecting the unconnected in India through fixed broadband.
1.2 Problem Statement

India is undergoing a massive internet revolution, with over 600 million broadband
connections as of 2022 (TRAI, 2022). However, a significant digital divide persists in terms
of fixed broadband access and adoption. As per recent estimates, over 60% of Indian
households still lack wired broadband connectivity at home (IAMAI, 2022). This fixed
broadband gap mirrors wider socio-economic divides, disproportionately impacting rural
areas, lower income groups, marginalized communities and remote geographies.

The COVID-19 pandemic heightened the consequences of lacking robust fixed broadband
access, as underconnected communities faced exclusions from remote education,
healthcare, work and social welfare directed online (Kapur et al., 2021). While the Indian
government is actively expanding digital infrastructure and connectivity programs, huge
adoption gaps remain even where networks exist due to issues of affordability, awareness,
digital literacy, and locally relevant content.

Bridging the fixed broadband divide is imperative for an inclusive, digitally empowered
society, given the emerging centrality of high-speed internet access for livelihoods, human
development, e-governance services, and realization of national development goals.
However, one-size-fits-all solutions are unlikely to work given the context-specific,
multifaceted barriers faced by unconnected groups.

This poses an urgent research problem concerning how India can effectively diagnose and
overcome the complex, interlinked obstacles inhibiting fixed broadband adoption across the
disconnected - ranging from inadequate infrastructure to lack of affordability, awareness,
abilities and locally relevant content. Rigorously investigating these challenges across
diverse unconnected communities can provide vital empirical insights to inform targeted
policies and interventions aimed at achieving universal access.

1.3 Objectives:

1. Map fixed broadband infrastructure availability against current household adoption levels
nationally and across key geographies, demographics.

2. Diagnostic assessment of multi-dimensional barriers influencing adoption decisions

across identified disconnected groups based on availability, affordability, awareness,
abilities, and perceived relevance.
3. Comparative evaluation of differences in fixed broadband adoption barriers, drivers,
trends and lived experiences between rural villages, urban slums, Tribal hamlets and other
disadvantaged segments.

4. In-depth case studies assessing utilization, challenges, benefits and on-ground impact of
government infrastructure expansion and adoption promotion programs.

5. Cost-benefit analysis of achieving universal household fixed broadband connectivity,

highlighting economic, social, educational, health and digital inclusion impacts.

6. Formulation of hyperlocal and demographic segment-specific recommendations to

promote sustainable adoption and digital inclusion.

1.4 Research Questions

Here are some suggested research questions focused specifically on connecting the
unconnected in India:

1. What are the demographic, geographic, socioeconomic, and cultural characteristics

of the unconnected populations in India that lack access to fixed broadband internet?

2. What are the primary barriers and limitations that keep these groups from obtaining
fixed broadband access and adoption? How do factors like availability, affordability,
awareness, abilities, and relevance contribute?

3. How do the lived experiences and attitudes towards broadband internet vary across
the disconnected groups spanning remote villages, urban slums, tribal areas and
other underserved locations?

4. What personalized interventions could encourage and enable unconnected

communities across India to adopt fixed broadband when availability infrastructure
exists?

5. How can relevant content, services and applications be designed and delivered to
make broadband internet more valuable and user-friendly for the unconnected
populations?

6. What policy and regulatory changes could make broadband internet more equitably
accessible and affordable across rural and disadvantaged segments of the Indian
society?
 7. Whatexamples and case studies of successful broadband proliferation strategies
from India and other developing countries can provide models to connect the
unconnected?

8. What innovative technological, financial, and institutional mechanisms can be

implemented to overcome infrastructural limitations and spur last-mile broadband
connectivity in underserved areas?

9. How can insights from behavioral science and user-centric design be applied to
develop hyperlocal solutions that drive broadband adoption across disconnected
groups?

10. What metrics could be used to track and evaluate the progress in connecting the
unconnected populations with fixed broadband access?

The research questions aim to uncover insights that can inform targeted strategies for
promoting broadband connectivity and digital inclusion across disconnected communities in
India.

1.5 Significance of the Study

This research is of significant importance for several reasons:

● Socio Economic Impact: Bridging the digital divide can lead to improved access to
education, healthcare, and economic opportunities for marginalized populations,
thereby reducing poverty and inequality.

● Enhanced Governance: Increased connectivity can facilitate better governance, e-

governance, and efficient service delivery, leading to improved citizen engagement
and satisfaction.

● Global Relevance: Lessons learned from this study can be applied to other
developing countries facing similar challenges.

● Policy Implications: The findings can inform policy decisions and guide the
allocation of resources to prioritize digital inclusion efforts.
2. Literature Review

2.1 Digital Divide in India

India has witnessed tremendous growth in internet penetration and adoption over the past
decade. However, studies highlight the persistence of a significant digital divide in terms of
fixed broadband access and usage (Kumar & Rani, 2022; Masiero, 2021). Socioeconomic
factors like income, education, occupation and geographic location strongly correlate with
disparities in broadband access (Chakraborty & Mukerji, 2021). Rural areas lag behind
urban centers. A gap exists even between smaller towns and large metros (Kathuria et al.,
2018).

Within urban areas, significant variations in broadband penetration and speeds are observed
between high-income neighborhoods and informal settlements or slums (Galpaya, 2017).
Tribal communities and other historically disadvantaged social groups face disproportionate
broadband exclusion exacerbated by lower digital literacy and lack of culturally relevant
content (Muralidhar, 2018). The pandemic compounded disadvantages for the disconnected,
lacking fixed broadband access to remote services and support (Kumar et al., 2020).

While the mobile revolution has connected many Indian internet users, fixed broadband
remains crucial for achieving full digital inclusion and empowerment (Johnson, 2018).
Narrowing geo-demographic and socioeconomic divides in fixed broadband adoption
remains a key challenge for Digital India goals (Ganesh & Sarkar, 2022). Targeted policy
interventions are necessary to connect the still unconnected (Kathuria et al., 2022).

2.2 Government Initiatives

Major government initiatives aim to expand India's digital infrastructure and connectivity,
including:

● BharatNet - Providing optical fiber connectivity to gram panchayats.

● Bharat Broadband Network Limited – Executing broadband projects through fiber and
satellite.

● PM WANI – Architecture for public Wi-Fi access through public data offices.

● National Broadband Mission – Targets fiber network rollout and affordable access.
Studies find these programs have helped extend the availability of broadband internet,
especially in rural areas (Gaiha et al., 2020). However adoption and usage gaps remain,
requiring attention to demand-side factors including affordability, awareness, capabilities,
and relevant content (Banka et al., 2022). Assessments note challenges like delays in
project execution, coordinating across agencies, infrastructure maintenance and
sustainability beyond pilot phases (Gupta et al., 2021).

2.3 Global Best Practices

International cases showcase strategies India could adapt to connect the unconnected and
bridge fixed broadband divides. Experts point to the United States' Broadband Technology
Opportunities Program during the Great Recession, which combined infrastructure funding
with digital literacy initiatives (Falch & Henten, 2018). 'ConnectHome' partnerships between
ISPs, housing authorities and nonprofits boosted home internet access in low-income
communities (Siefer, 2016). Such collaborative cross-sector models focused on underserved
groups merit exploration in the Indian context.

Experts also highlight innovative universal service programs like Thailand's Net Pracharat
public-private broadband initiative providing free connectivity in public spaces as an
intermediate step while advancing infrastructure (Jaknik & Pathranarakul, 2022). Insights
from successful developing country connectivity drives like Malaysia's fixed broadband
penetration increasing from 68% to 98% within a decade can also inform India's policy
roadmap for connecting the unconnected (Nik Fal, 2022).

3. Research Methodology:
A technology-enabled mixed methods approach will be employed combining big data
analytics, spatial mapping, surveys, and immersive qualitative research for a multilayered
perspective.

The quantitative component will leverage large-scale datasets including TRAI statistics,
BharatNet implementation data, household surveys on digital access, and telecom operator
tech adoption data. Analysis will identify infrastructure-adoption gaps and model key
barriers.

The qualitative component will conduct ethnographic research across communities covering
rural villages, urban slums, Tribal hamlets and disadvantaged groups. In-depth field research
will reveal granular behavioral insights and user perspectives.
Integrated analysis will assess convergence and divergence in barriers derived from
modelling versus ground realities. Solutions addressing obstacles will be co-designed and
piloted.

3.1 Research Design

This study will utilize a mixed methods research design combining geospatial analysis of
secondary datasets, household surveys, and qualitative ethnographic fieldwork across
unconnected communities. This will facilitate triangulation of macro-level quantitative data on
connectivity with micro-level insights from lived experiences of disconnected groups.

3.2 Data Collection

Quantitative data will be obtained from government reports, telecom regulator sources,
industry statistics, and household socioeconomic surveys. Qualitative data will be collected
through in-depth interviews, focus groups, and participant observation fieldwork across rural
villages, urban slums and disadvantaged communities lacking broadband access.

3.3 Data Analysis

Quantitative data will analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques as well
as geospatial modelling to map regional, demographic disparities in broadband access.
Qualitative data will be coded and analyzed thematically to derive insights into barriers,
attitudes, behaviors and requirements of unconnected groups.

3.4 Ethical Considerations

Informed consent will be obtained from all qualitative research participants. Anonymity and
confidentiality will be ensured in data reporting. Authorization will be sought before utilizing
licensed and proprietary datasets. All data collection and usage will conform to ethics
guidelines from government and academic institutional review boards.

This section summarizes the proposed mixed methods research design, outlining the
quantitative and qualitative data sources, analytical techniques, and ethical safeguards
intended to ensure a rigorous and responsible study. The specifics of sampling, tools,
analysis methods etc. can be detailed further in subsequent sections.
4. Expected Result

4.1 Bridging the Digital Divide

The research aims to identify the key barriers contributing to the digital divide in India,
including infrastructure gaps, affordability issues, and digital illiteracy. By analyzing these
factors, the study will provide insights into effective strategies to bridge this divide. It is
expected that the findings will suggest a multi-pronged approach that combines
infrastructure development, affordability measures, and digital literacy programs.

4.2 Enhanced Socioeconomic Development

The research will assess the impact of increased connectivity on the socioeconomic
development of underserved areas. It is anticipated that improved access to digital
resources will lead to enhanced education, better healthcare services, increased
employment opportunities, and overall improvement in the quality of life for residents in
these regions.

4.3 Improved Governance and Service Delivery

By evaluating the effectiveness of government initiatives, the study will provide

recommendations to enhance governance and service delivery through digital means. The
findings are expected to highlight areas where e-governance can be strengthened, leading
to increased transparency, efficiency, and accountability in government operations.

Proposed 24-month Timeline:

Months 1-6: Secondary research and dataset compilation

● Assemble relevant public and licensed datasets

● Process data and conduct exploratory analysis

Months 6-12: Spatial, statistical and ML analysis of access gaps

● Geospatial and econometric analysis of infrastructure vs. adoption patterns

● Machine learning modelling of demographic adoption drivers and barriers

Months 12-18: Ethnographic study across 20 communities

● Recruit communities encompassing diversity of disconnected contexts

● Immersive field research through interviews, focus groups, observation etc.

Months 18-22: Integrated analysis and solution co-creation

● Cross-analyze quantitative and qualitative insights

● Community-led design of localized solutions addressing barriers

Months 22-24: Formulation of policy recommendations

● Develop roadmap for achieving universal sustainable access

● Disseminate recommendations to government, industry, civil society

Dissemination:
The study’s insights will be shared via policy reports, academic publications, conferences,
and interactive workshops with telecom operators, internet service providers, government
agencies and NGOs working to connect the unconnected.

● Detailed policy reports submitted to relevant government ministries and agencies

including Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Electronics and IT, NITI
Aayog, TRAI, Digital India Corporation, and state IT departments. Regular
engagement will be maintained to discuss report findings and assist with policy
formulation.

● Peer-reviewed academic research publications in leading technology policy, ICTD,

digital inequality, and internet governance journals including Information
Technologies & International Development, Electronic Journal of Information
Systems in Developing Countries, Journal of Community Informatics, and ITID
(Information Technology for Development).

● Paper/poster presentations at major academic and policy conferences like ACM

DEV, ICTD, IEEE Technology & Society, ICWSM, IFIP WG, and India Telecom. Selected
findings will be showcased through abstracts, presentations and demos.

● Practitioner workshops organized in partnership with civil society organizations to

disseminate insights from the ethnographic research. Telecom operators, internet
 service providers, tech startups and NGOs will be invited to jointly formulate
solutions.

● Public webinars open to participation from government, industry, academia and civil
society to discuss research findings and recommendations. Targeted outreach will
be done to ensure viewpoints of unconnected communities are represented.

● Sustained policy advocacy by collaborating with think tanks like IT for Change, Center
for Internet and Society, and Software Freedom Law Center to include research
insights in their advocacy campaigns.

● Plain language summaries, infographics, visual stories and multimedia content

created to make the study insights accessible to the general public and disconnected
groups in local languages. Content will be promoted through social media.

● Comprehensive media engagement entailing press releases, data stories, and

visualization packages for print, online, television and radio highlighting key statistics
and stories for wider dissemination.

The extensive, multi-platform dissemination strategy will facilitate broader understanding of

India's broadband access challenges and solutions for enabling affordable connectivity and
digital participation for all.