• India has climbed to 49th rank in the Network Readiness Index 2024. The country was ranked at 60 in 2023. 

• For the third consecutive year, the United States topped the 2024 Network Readiness Index  published by the Portulans Institute, an independent non-profit research and educational institute based in Washington DC.

• Singapore has once again claimed the second spot, with Finland keeping hold of third place. 

• Movers in the top 10 include Sweden, up to fourth, South Korea rising to fifth, and the United Kingdom moving up to eighth place. Meanwhile, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, and Denmark round off the leader board. 

Network Readiness Index

• The Network Readiness Index is one of the leading global indices on the application and impact of ICT in economies across the world. 

• In this latest version, ‘Building a Digital Tomorrow: Public-Private Investments and Global Collaboration for Digital Readiness', the Report maps the network readiness landscape of 133 economies on their performances across four pillars. They are: Technology, People, Governance, and Impact, with each pillar comprised of three sub-pillars, and a further 54 variables.

• Initially launched in 2002 by the World Economic Forum, the Network Readiness Index was redesigned in 2019 to reflect how technology and people need to be integrated within an effective governance structure in order to have the right impact on our economy, society and the environment. 

• This 2024 edition marks the sixth edition of the redesigned model of the NRI. 

India leads in several indicators

• India has not only improved its ranking, but also improved its score from 49.93 in 2023 to 53.63 in 2024. 

• India leads in several indicators. India secured first rank in ‘AI scientific publications’, ‘AI talent concentration’ and ‘ICT services exports’, second rank in ‘FTTH/Building Internet subscriptions’, ‘Mobile broadband internet traffic within the country’ and ‘International Internet bandwidth’, third rank in ‘Domestic market scale’ and fourth rank in ‘annual investment in telecommunication services.

• India has ranked second in the group of lower-middle-income countries after Vietnam. As per the report, India has demonstrated significant digital progress, with notable strengths in technological innovation and digital transformation.

• India’s performance in the Index is latest in a string of advancements in the telecommunications sector. 

Tele-density increases in India

• The Department of Telecommunications has made significant strides in advancing India's telecommunication infrastructure. 

• Over the past decade, tele-density increased from 75.2 per cent to 84.69 per cent, and wireless connections reached 119 crore. 

• The Digital India has set an example by expanding broadband access to rural areas through partnerships with technology companies, resulting in the sharp rise in internet subscribers from 25.1 crore to 94.4 crore, with a substantial rise in wireless internet usage. 

• Reforms in spectrum management, ease of doing business, and consumer protection have further strengthened the sector.

• Furthermore, India launched 5G services in 2022, rapidly improving its global mobile broadband speed ranking from 118 to 15.

• Now, India aims to position itself as a leader in future telecom technologies with the Bharat 6G Vision. 

• Coupled with investment in emerging technologies, impressive data capabilities and robust telecom infrastructure, India’s performance in network readiness index is a testament to our digital progress and innovation.

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