“Uttar Pradesh is revolutionizing rural connectivity with free Wi-Fi hotspots under the Digital Village initiative, bridging the digital divide. Over 1.65 lakh hotspots are empowering villages with access to education, e-governance, and economic opportunities, aligning with India’s Digital India vision. Challenges like infrastructure gaps persist, but the state’s efforts signal a transformative step for rural empowerment.”
Uttar Pradesh Embraces Digital Village with Wi-Fi Hotspot Surge
CSC Wi-Fi Choupal Initiative
The Common Services Centre (CSC) Wi-Fi Choupal, under CSC e-Governance Services India Ltd., is driving the Digital Village initiative in Uttar Pradesh. It has deployed approximately 1.65 lakh rural Wi-Fi hotspots across 1.25 lakh Gram Panchayats in 32 states, with significant coverage in UP, including Shahjahanpur’s Dadrol block. These hotspots leverage BharatNet’s optical fiber infrastructure to provide last-mile connectivity, offering affordable broadband access to homes and businesses.
Empowering Rural Communities
Wi-Fi hotspots are enabling access to e-governance services, telemedicine, online education, and digital payments in UP’s villages. For instance, in Shahjahanpur, local entrepreneurs manage hotspot operations, fostering economic growth. The initiative supports versatile data packages tailored to rural needs, helping residents like Jeetu, a 22-year-old student, access educational content affordably via Wi-Fi at local shops.
BharatNet’s Role in Connectivity
The BharatNet project, a cornerstone of Digital India, has connected 1.94 lakh villages nationwide, including many in UP, with optical fiber cables. In UP, 37,455 village panchayats are linked under this initiative, facilitating high-speed broadband. The project aims to cover all 6.40 lakh villages in India within the next 2.5 years, with UP at the forefront of this digital transformation.
Challenges in Rural Connectivity
Despite progress, UP faces hurdles like unreliable power supply and limited last-mile infrastructure. Only 18,041 of the 45,769 Wi-Fi hotspots installed under BharatNet are operational, highlighting maintenance issues. High internet leased line charges also deter small entrepreneurs from expanding hotspot networks, necessitating regulatory interventions to ensure affordability and scalability.
Job Creation and Economic Impact
The proliferation of Wi-Fi hotspots has the potential to generate 2-3 crore jobs in small and medium sectors, as estimated by telecom secretary K. Rajaraman. In UP, Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs), or Udyamis, are pivotal in managing hotspots, creating self-employment opportunities and boosting local economies through digital services like e-farming and online payments.
Future Prospects and Scalability
The PM-WANI scheme aims to scale public Wi-Fi to 50 million hotspots by 2030, as outlined in the Bharat 6G Vision. UP’s ongoing efforts, including partnerships with local ISPs and Airtel’s 5G trials in villages like Bramanan, show promise for achieving high-speed connectivity. However, addressing cost barriers and infrastructure gaps remains critical for sustainable growth.
Disclaimer: This article is based on recent reports, industry insights, and government data available as of September 2, 2025. Information is sourced from credible platforms like The Economic Times, Business Standard, and CSC Wi-Fi Choupal’s official portal. Readers are advised to verify details with official sources for the latest updates.