RailTel Corporation of India Ltd (RCIL), a 'Mini Ratna (Category-I)' Public Sector Undertaking, is a leading telecom infrastructure provider in India, fully owned by the Ministry of Railways. Established in 2000, RailTel capitalizes on the Indian Railways' communication assets to modernize infrastructure and offer extensive communication services. The company boasts a pan-India optic fibre network along railway tracks, covering key urban and rural areas and 70% of India's population. RailTel provides broadband telecom and multimedia services nationwide, enhancing train operations and administration networks.
The company has developed substantial infrastructure, including a high-speed optic fibre network and data centers, and has pioneered Wi-Fi services at major railway stations. RailTel's expansion includes launching 'Railwire,' a retail broadband model, and upgrading telecommunications technology to provide robust network capacities. By 2023, RailTel had also implemented Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAMS) for broadband services and advanced electronic interlocking systems at various stations, reinforcing its role in India's digital transformation.
