NEW DEHLI, Jan 17: The telecom department on Friday launched the Sanchar Saathi mobile app to make it easier to report any suspected fraud communications by allowing the public to flag such incidents directly from their mobile phone call logs.
Announcing this, telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia also launched two other initiatives of the DoT — Vision for National Broadband Mission 2.0 and Intra circle roaming at ‘Digital Bharat Nidhi’ funded 4G mobile sites.
The DoT’s Sanchar Saathi portal, launched in 2023, has been an effective mechanism in the crackdown against fraud calls, and the new app will double down on these efforts by ensuring a secure environment for subscribers.
Unveiling the initiatives, Scindia said the Sanchar Saathi initiative provides “a safe and secure environment where privacy and security of each customer are safeguarded”.
The new app – available for Android and iOS platforms – allows users to report suspected calls and SMS directly from phone logs. Users will also be able to identify and manage all mobile connections issued in their name, so there is no unauthorised usage.
Other features include blocking, tracing and recovery of lost or stolen mobile handsets, as well as the ability to verify the authenticity of mobile handsets, thus ensuring that users buy genuine devices.
“With over 90 crore smartphone users in the country, the Sanchar Saathi Mobile app aims to ensure that every individual has access to these vital services with just a few taps on their smartphone,” an official release said.
The second initiative — National Broadband Mission (NBM) 2.0 — aims to position India strongly in the new era of digital transformation through high-speed broadband and meaningful connectivity for all.
Building on the success of NBM 1.0 (2019-2024), the new chapter (NBM 2.0) seeks to extend operational optical fibre cable (OFC) connectivity to 2.70 lakh villages by 2030 with 95 per cent uptime from about 50,000 as of now, improved fixed broadband download speeds; and provision of broadband connectivity to 90 per cent of anchor institutions (say schools and Panchayat offices) by 2030.
Other goals include having the Right of Way application average disposal time to 30 days by 2030 (60 days now), bolstering rural internet subscribers per 100 population to 60 by 2030 (from 45 now), and a target of powering 30 per cent of mobile towers with sustainable energy by 2030.
It also entails leveraging power sector assets like Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) for enhanced broadband connectivity and improving broadband network reliability, survivability and resiliency during disasters, wars, and other emergencies in far-flung, remote and hilly regions of the country.
“Our goal is to ensure that at least 60 out of every 100 rural households have access to broadband connectivity. Additionally, we aim to achieve a minimum fixed broadband download speed of 100 Mbps, creating a robust digital infrastructure for rural India,” Scindia said.
The Minister also inaugurated Intra Circle Roaming (ICR) at Digital Bharat Nidhi-funded (previously USOF) 4G mobile sites.
“This is a crucial pillar, with three of our telecom service providers – BSNL, Airtel, and Reliance – joining forces to leverage each other’s infrastructure at all DBN-funded sites. With nearly 27,836 such sites, we are ensuring not only connectivity but also providing customers across the country with the freedom of choice,” he added.
The initiative pledges seamless 4G connectivity for over 35,400 rural and remote villages served by nearly 27,000 towers. (PTI)
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