Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2024: India's Rise

Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2024: India's Rise

Context:
India has made significant progress in the Network Readiness Index (NRI) 2024, climbing 11 positions to secure the 49th rank globally, up from 60th in 2023. This improvement reflects India's efforts to bolster its digital infrastructure and technological capabilities, marking a strong performance across various digital metrics and innovations.

About NRI 2024:

The Network Readiness Index (NRI) is published by the Portulans Institute, and it evaluates 133 economies using 54 variables spread across four key pillars:

1. Technology

2. People

3. Governance

4. Impact

These pillars assess how well nations are prepared for the digital age in terms of infrastructure, human capital, policy frameworks, and the broader societal impact of digital advancements.

India's Achievements in NRI 2024:

India has made remarkable strides in the digital and technological domains. Its NRI score improved from 49.93 in 2023 to 53.63 in 2024, signaling substantial growth.

Here are some of India’s top global rankings across various sectors:

1. 1st Rank Globally:

   • AI Scientific Publications

   • AI Talent Concentration

   • ICT Services Exports

2. 2nd Rank Globally:

   • Fiber to the Premises (FTTH) Internet Subscriptions

   • Mobile Broadband Traffic

   • International Internet Bandwidth

3. 3rd Rank Globally:

   • Domestic Market Scale

4. 4th Rank Globally:

   • Annual Telecom Investments

These achievements highlight India's leadership in the areas of Artificial Intelligence, ICT services, and telecom infrastructure, underscoring its growing role in the global digital landscape.

Telecom Sector Advancements:

India's telecom sector has experienced significant growth, playing a pivotal role in improving its NRI ranking. Key statistics include:

• Tele-density: 84.69%

• Wireless Connections: 119 crore

• Internet Subscribers: Increased from 25.1 crore to 94.4 crore

The launch of 5G services in 2022 has further enhanced the country’s mobile broadband capabilities, boosting India’s ranking from 118th to 15th globally in terms of mobile broadband speed. Additionally, India’s vision for Bharat 6G is positioning the country as a future leader in telecommunications.

Key Takeaways:

• India's NRI improvement signals a concerted push towards digital transformation.

• AI, telecom, and ICT sectors have been significant drivers of this rise.

• The Bharat 6G Vision and 5G rollout place India on track to becoming a global leader in telecommunications and digital infrastructure.

India’s progress in the Network Readiness Index 2024 reflects its commitment to fostering a robust digital economy and becoming a major player in the global digital landscape.