– Manik Bhari, Senior Vice President – Enterprise, iBUS Networks (Microsense Networks)
A student preparing a project may consult an online library, watch a lecture, compare sources, work with classmates and submit an assignment digitally. These activities are becoming an integral part of how students learn and demonstrate their understanding. As education places greater emphasis on conceptual understanding, application and project work, internet access has become an essential part of the learning process. A dropped connection during a class or a failed upload can interrupt work that depends on digital resources. Reliable connectivity is therefore an everyday requirement.
Learning beyond the classroom. Students are increasingly expected to ask questions, interpret information and apply concepts. A science student may study the quality of water in their area using available data. A commerce student may use spreadsheets to analyse a business problem, while a design student may create a digital portfolio. Such assignments involve finding credible material, comparing sources, collaborating and drawing conclusions. Internet access enables students to attend online classes, consult digital libraries and research papers, use learning platforms and explore courses beyond their institutions. Recorded lessons allow them to revisit difficult topics, while videos and simulations help them understand abstract concepts. Coding courses, data tools and online learning communities offer opportunities to practise skills that may not be available locally. With AI tools increasingly being used in study and research, students must learn to use them responsibly and fact-check their outputs. Without reliable access, these learning experiences are not equally available to everyone. Students also need dependable internet access to practise digital communication, coding and data analysis, skills that are increasingly relevant to further education and employment. A stable network is equally important for students living on campus, enabling them to communicate with their families, access student services and receive timely campus updates.
Learning with others, on and off campus. Digital access makes learning more collaborative. Students can work on shared documents, join virtual classrooms, exchange feedback and communicate with faculty beyond scheduled lessons. Connectivity can also link learners with academic communities and research networks beyond their campuses. Research students may need access to global databases, cloud computing platforms, virtual laboratories and shared research environments. Digital platforms also enable students to access routine campus services, from attendance records and timetable updates to navigation, university applications and emergency notifications. Connectivity also plays an important role in participation in campus life.
How far behind is India?. India has expanded its digital infrastructure, but access remains uneven. The Ministry of Education’s UDISE+ 2025–26 report states that 67.4 percent of schools have internet facilities, while 69.9 percent have computers. A significant proportion of schools still lack one or both of these basic requirements for digital learning. The urban-rural divide is also evident in telecom data. TRAI’s Indian Telecom Services Performance Indicator Report for April–June 2026 recorded 666.09 million urban internet subscribers and 448.08 million rural subscribers. Internet subscriber density stood at 129.03 per 100 people in urban areas, compared with 49.07 in rural areas. Subscriber density is not the same as the proportion of students with reliable internet access, but the difference highlights the uneven distribution of connectivity. Family members may have to share a single phone, or students may lack access to suitable devices. An internet connection in a school office does not guarantee adequate coverage in classrooms, libraries, laboratories or hostels. Dense walls and high demand can weaken indoor connectivity, and urban campuses face these challenges too.
Building a campus that works. Institutions need to assess peak user demand, the number of devices, applications, building layouts and the areas where connectivity is required. Distributed antenna systems and small cells can help improve coverage in large buildings where outdoor signals are insufficient. Neutral-host infrastructure enables multiple telecom operators to use the same in-building network. Managed Wi-Fi helps provide access across classrooms, libraries, hostels and common areas. Capacity, security and maintenance are as important as installation. Infrastructure alone, however, cannot bridge the education gap. Schools also need appropriate devices, relevant content and teachers equipped to use technology effectively. The strengths of a university have traditionally been assessed through its faculty, facilities and library. Connecting students to opportunities beyond the campus is increasingly becoming another important aspect of the educational environment. A connected campus is not simply about providing Wi-Fi; it is about ensuring that students have access to reliable and secure connectivity wherever they study. At iBUS Networks, we believe connectivity should be planned around the student experience, not merely the number of devices a network can support. Internet access cannot replace teachers or resolve every inequality. However, reliable access across the places where students learn can widen participation, support independent work and connect young people to opportunities that might otherwise remain out of reach.
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