Govt. Revitalizes "Communication to the Village" Project to Expand 4G Coverage 📈

The Cabinet has approved a revised reimbursement framework to accelerate Sri Lanka's telecommunications infrastructure development, specifically targeting underserved rural areas. • New Funding Model: The TRCSL will now reimburse mobile service providers the lower of either Rs. 35 million per tower or 75% of the actual construction and equipment costs. • Project Status: Since 2021, 83 communication towers have been completed. The project aims to bridge the digital divide by incentivizing operators who previously faced high costs and low revenue in remote regions. • Economic Context: The revised guidelines account for the recent decline in equipment prices, making the expansion of ICT infrastructure more financially viable for private partners. • Strategic Goal: Managed under the Digital Economy ministry, the project focuses on ensuring countrywide 4G broadband access to support rural participation in the digital economy and enhance national connectivity. _Note: Based on official Cabinet briefing and TRCSL guidelines._ ---