The Digital Divide in India: Why This Mission Matters
Despite India’s rapid digital progress, millions of people remain disconnected from the internet, limiting their access to education, jobs, and healthcare. The numbers paint a stark picture:
- Over 400 million people in India still lack access to the internet.
- 70% of rural India has no reliable broadband connectivity.
- 85% of jobs now require digital skills, but millions in villages are left behind.
- Farmers with internet access earn up to 30% more than those without.
- Telemedicine could reduce rural healthcare costs by 50%, yet remains inaccessible to most remote communities.
For many, the internet is more than a luxury—it’s a lifeline. Yet, in India’s most isolated villages, connectivity is still a dream.
That’s where Muft Internet comes in.
For the past 10 years, Muft Internet has been on a mission to connect the unconnected, working in some of India’s most challenging socio-economic terrains, from the rugged landscapes of Ladakh to the dense forests of Northeast India.
With a bold vision to bring connectivity to the country’s most remote corners, Muft Internet has already linked over 200 villages to the world wide web—often becoming the first-ever internet provider in these communities.
Now, the company is setting its sights higher: connecting 25,000 villages by 2030.
This ambitious expansion will be powered by a unique, community-driven model—training local micro-entrepreneurs to build, run, and manage their own internet networks. By empowering locals with skills, resources, and ownership, Muft Internet is ensuring that rural connectivity is not just introduced but sustained for generations to come.
From Isolation to Innovation: The Story of Sangti Village, Arunachal Pradesh
Nestled in the remote mountains of Arunachal Pradesh, Sangti Village was, until recently, completely cut off from the digital world. With no reliable internet, students had no access to online education, farmers struggled to get real-time weather updates and market prices, and healthcare remained a challenge due to limited access to telemedicine.
That changed when Muft Internet arrived and started training locals. Within weeks, Sangti became one of the first digitally connected villages in the region.
- Education: Students, who previously had to rely on limited school resources, now access online courses, digital libraries, and virtual classrooms, leveling the playing field with urban learners.
- Livelihoods: Farmers now use the internet to check crop prices, learn modern farming techniques, and connect with buyers directly, improving their incomes.
- Healthcare: Telemedicine has made it possible for villagers to consult doctors online, reducing the need for long and expensive trips to distant hospitals.
“We never imagined we could have internet here in the mountains. Now, our children are learning from YouTube, and we can sell our crops at the right price,” says Dorjee Thapa, a local farmer.
But perhaps the most remarkable impact is how the network is run. Muft Internet trained a local entrepreneur, Tsonam, to manage the community’s internet service. Tsonam now earns a stable income while ensuring his village stays connected—a sustainable model that empowers locals while expanding digital access.
Across 200+ villages, similar transformations are taking place—young entrepreneurs are launching online businesses, communities are gaining digital literacy, and villages once isolated are now part of India’s growing digital economy.
Beyond Villages: Connecting the Most Remote Corners of India
While Muft Internet is transforming villages like Sangti, its mission extends far beyond rural heartlands—it’s bringing connectivity to some of the most extreme and isolated locations in the world, including Hanle and Stok in Ladakh.
Hanle: Bringing Internet to One of the World’s Highest Astronomical Observatories
Hanle, a remote village in Ladakh at an altitude of 4,500 meters (14,700 feet), is home to the Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO), one of the highest observatories in the world. Despite its scientific importance, internet access was almost non-existent—making research collaboration and data sharing incredibly difficult.
Muft Internet stepped in to bridge this digital gap, bringing high-speed internet to Hanle. Today, researchers at the IAO can communicate with global scientific communities in real time, transfer massive astronomical data files seamlessly, and collaborate on space research like never before.
But the impact of connectivity extends beyond the observatory—Hanle’s local communities, students, and businesses now have access to the digital world, enabling better education, online commerce, and telehealth services.
“For years, our research was slowed down by poor connectivity. Now, we can collaborate globally without limitations,” says a scientist from the Indian Astronomical Observatory.
Stok: Enabling Education and Sustainable Tourism in a High-Altitude Desert
Stok, another breathtaking yet isolated region in Ladakh, faced significant challenges due to its remoteness. The local school lacked digital learning resources, businesses struggled without online visibility, and medical consultations were nearly impossible.
Muft Internet brought high-speed internet to Stok, unlocking new opportunities for the community:
- Education: Students now have access to online courses, digital libraries, and e-learning platforms, bridging the education gap between urban and rural areas.
- Tourism: Stok is a major trekking destination, and internet access has helped local homestays, trekking guides, and small businesses attract more visitors through online bookings and reviews.
- Healthcare: Residents now have access to telemedicine, allowing them to consult doctors remotely without traveling long distances.
“Our students can now dream bigger, learn more, and stay connected to the world outside our valley,” shares a teacher from Stok village.
By connecting Hanle, Stok, and other high-altitude regions, Muft Internet is proving that no place is too remote for digital transformation.
The Future: 25,000 Villages, Thousands of Micro-ISP Entrepreneurs
By 2030, Muft Internet plans to connect 25,000 villages, but they aren’t doing it alone. Instead of simply installing networks, they are building a new generation of rural digital entrepreneurs.
- Training Local Micro-Entrepreneurs: Muft Internet teaches locals how to set up, manage, and maintain their own internet networks—turning them into business owners and digital enablers.
- Creating Sustainable Connectivity: By making local entrepreneurs responsible for their networks, Muft Internet ensures long-term affordability and maintenance without dependency on external providers.
- Scaling Impact Beyond Internet Access: These micro-entrepreneurs generate income, provide employment, and strengthen local economies while expanding digital access.
“We are not just bringing the internet; we are bringing self-reliance and economic empowerment. When a village gets online, a micro-entrepreneur benefits, jobs are created, and a local economy grows,” explains Jinesh Parekh
About MuftInternet
Muft Internet is India’s fastest-growing rural broadband provider, pioneering internet access in the country’s most remote villages for the past 10 years. By leveraging innovative technology and community-driven solutions, the company is committed to making connectivity a reality for all.
To learn more or partner with Muft Internet, visit www.Muftinternet.com.