Lok Sabha
As compared to urban tele-density, rural tele-density in the country is low. The details are furnished below:
|
| As on 31.03.2008 | As on 31.08.2008 |
| Rural tele-density | 9.46% | 11.18% |
| Urban tele-density | 66.39% | 74.33% |
| Overall tele-density | 26.22% | 29.83% |
The following steps are taken/being taken by the Government to improve the tele-density in rural areas:
(i) Support from universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) for provisioning of Rural Direct Exchange Lines (RDELs) in all the 1685 net cost positive Short Distance Charging Areas (SDCAs).
(ii) A scheme has been launched by USO Fund to provide subsidy support for setting up and managing 7871 number of infrastructure sites (towers) in 500 districts spread over 27 states, for provision of mobile services in the specified rural and remote areas, where there is no existing fixed wireless or mobile coverage in the country. Also, about 11000 number of additional infrastructure sites (towers) are proposed to be installed in the second phase.
(iii) Relaxation of norms by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) for laying cable upto 5 kms of exchanges against the earlier standard of 2.5 Kms based on demand and techno-commercial consideration.
(iv) Large-scale deployment of WLL network by BSNL in rural areas.
(v) Deployment of Mobile Network along all the Highways by BSNL to give incidental coverage to large parts of rural areas.
(vi) Remote and far-flung areas, which are not possible to be covered with terrestrial technology, are planned by BSNL to be covered with Digital Satellite Phone Terminals (DSPTs).
(vii) In addition to the efforts made by BSNL, the private operators are also offering their services to meet the demand for telephone.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia in a written reply to an un-starred question in the Lok Sabha today.
Akshay rout/vk