An organization dedicated towards bridging India’s digital divide. Bringing connectivity to those who need it the most.
Connecting the Unconnected: Internet for all
We are reshaping internet and information access in India by connecting under-served communities, empowering local ISPs, and bringing sustainable broadband access to the remotest corners of the country. Together, let’s build a future where every school, every village, and every individual can thrive with the power of connectivity
We are Muft Internet
#InternetForAll
We are a community of passionate people that have dedicated the last decade towards bringing rural India online for the first time.
We invest our efforts in community broadband and last mile connectivity initiatives.
We believe Internet access is a fundamental human right.
Our mission is to connect every school, village, and individual, unlocking pathways to education, opportunity, and empowerment.
No one should be left behind in information darkness.
The People
Jinesh Parekh
Co-Founder & Research Lead
Jinesh founded Muft Internet and now supports MUFT’s vision with process innovation and special projects that expand the organization’s impact.
Arpit Kaushal
Director of Operations
Arpit oversees finance, administration, and legal compliance, ensuring smooth operations across all key areas at MUFT.
Nayanikka Das
Community coordinator
Nayanikka documents our impact stories and creates digital literacy and educational content for communities.
Durgesh Ohja
Co-Founder & Technology Lead
Durgesh leads MUFT’s vision with tech innovations, operations and solving complex on-ground socio-technical challenges.
Shailendra Parmar
Director of Technology
Shailendra leads technology research network architecture at MUFT, driving efficient, scalable and affordable solutions.
Naman Dhakkad
On-ground Technician
Naman ensures smooth field operations, driving the implementation of MUFT’s initiatives.
Harsh Lodha
Co-Founder & Strategy Lead
Harsh drives MUFT’s vision and strategy, ensuring accountability and results through effective leadership and strategic partnerships.
Vipul Patel
Director of Technology
Vipul ensures seamless web development and support, playing a critical role in MUFT’s digital operations and management.
The Approach
Last mile connectivity, rural community broadband and consulting existing ISPs
Our Approach
We focus on sustainable, affordable last-mile connectivity and community broadband initiatives.
One of the key challenges we face is identifying which remote villages are in data-dark zones. This often requires our team to travel to these isolated areas, where connectivity is unstable or nonexistent. Once on-site, we work closely with local communities to assess and address specific connectivity challenges.
Our process begins with detailed site assessments and technical planning to design cost-effective connectivity solutions. We source equipment, often refurbished, tailored to the unique needs of each location. Wireless installations are carried out under challenging conditions, such as extreme weather, ensuring resilience and reliability.
A key part of our approach is collaborating with local leaders and training local community members. This ensures infrastructure sustainability, affordability, and ongoing maintenance. By fostering these partnerships, we ensure that communities stay connected and manage their network independently.
Our Journey
A visual timeline of MUFT INTERNET
2014
MUFT was born as part of Jinesh Parekh’s university research project titled “How do we enable internet access in developing countries using a participatory design approach.”
2015
Developed Muft WiFi, an open-source captive portal designed for the microdistribution of Internet, supported by advertisements or vouchers.
2016
Deployed Muft WiFi captive portal for live testing to provide free internet access.
2017
Established over 50 hotspots powered by Muft WiFi software. The team shifted focus toward understanding and opening up the process of becoming an Internet Service Provider (ISP) in India
2018
Piloted our first micro-ISP in Guna, successfully connecting Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, to the internet, providing free internet access to underserved communities.
2019
Shifted focus to connecting remote villages in Northeast India, beginning with Mizoram.
2020
Co-founders Harsh Lodha and Durgesh Ohja embarked on a road trip to north east India to better understand connectivity challenges in rural villages.
2021
Reached a major milestone of connecting over 1,000 customers across 32 villages.
2022
Expanded operations significantly, connecting over 10,000 customers in 100+ villages with community powered Internet solutions.
2023
More strategic partnerships and on-ground activations leading to 25,000+ households connected across 150+ villages.
2024
Started our most ambitious last mile connectivity project in Ladakh - connecting 10 villages for the very first time.
Over 35,000+ homes in 200+ villages connected in the north east of India.
2025
Aim to connect to 50,000+ homes across 300 villages.
Focusing on bridging the digital divide with last mile connectivity and rural broadband.
Our Initiatives
Focused on bridging the rural digital divide
Community Broadband Activation
Empowering local communities to create and manage their own broadband Internet
In India's remotest corners lies a desperate need for connectivity. Muft Internet bridges this gap through by training local communities to deploy their own community broadband network.
With over 200 villages connected with broadband, we bring internet to schools and communities left behind. Students access learning, teachers share resources, and families stay connected.
Despite progress, about 25000+ villages still lack connectivity, leaving many without internet access.
Our active sites are located in hard to reach border towns and villages around North East India and Ladakh.
Jjamtse Gatsal
Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh 790106
Hanle
Manjushree Vidyapith
Goverment Public School
Microdistribution of Internet
Turning small shops and vendors into WiFi Internet service provider with Prepaid Vouchers
Last Mile Connectivity
Enabling rural broadband Internet for communities that have been denied service by all telcos
Muft WiFi Hotspot Software
Open Source Captive Portal Software for distribution of public WiFi hotspot management
Active Projects
In the regions of Ladakh and North East India.
Jhamste Gatsal
A rural orphanage in India’s first digital experience
Hanle Observatory
Internet connectivity at a space observatory 4500m above sea level
Stok Govt School
A rural Ladakhi school’s first Internet connection
