India, Sept. 16 -- For years, India's telecom growth narrative has mainly been urban-centric. Metros and tier-I cities led the surge in data consumption, smartphone penetration, and digital transformation. But for some time now, a quiet revolution has been unfolding in the heart of the country. Rural India is no longer a passive participant-it is becoming a formidable engine of telecom growth, and this shift is both promising and profound.

According to Crisil Ratings, Internet penetration in rural India rose dramatically from 59% in January 2021 to 78% in December 2024, surpassing the growth rate in urban areas. With an expected increase of 4-5% by the end of FY2026, this expansion is being powered by widespread digital adoption, changin...