Minimum broadband speeds proposed to increase by four times

The Indian government is planning to increase the minimum broadband speed to 2Mbps—about four times the existing minimum broadband speeds of 512Kpbs. In August 2014, the government increased the minimum broadband speed from 256Kpbs to 512Kbps.

According to a report by Economic Times, IT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad proposed to take up the matter with the ministry of communications. Prasad said that the government will consider laying down a policy for increasing the minimum broadband speed from the current levels.

The reports suggests that the rise in the startup ecosystem across India, delivery of various consumer services via mobile apps, such as taxis, social media and online retail, are among the reasons behind this move.

According to the State of the Internet report by Akami, India has the slowest average Internet connection in Asia at a max of 2.8Mbps, while the global average is almost three times that figure at 6.3Mbps.