Question : WLL IN NORTH-EAST REGION

(a) whether it is a fact that WLL has not been provided in the entire North-East Region;

(b) if so, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether WLL has been properly launched in Imphal ;

(d) if so, the number of connections provided so far;

(e) whether the Government propose to introduce it in the remote and hilly areas of Manipur where there is no land-line facility;

(f) if so, the time by which it is likely to be introduced it in the remote and hilly areas of Manipur; and

(g) the difficulties, if any, to start WLL in the remote and hilly areas in the entire North-East Region?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHOK PRADHAN)

(a) & (b): WLL service is available in Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland, Manipur and Sikkim. In Arunachal Pradesh, procurement of equipment is under process and planned to be provided during 2003-04.

(c) Yes, Sir.

(d) 402 as on 07-08-2003

(e) Yes, Sir.

(f) 4000 lines capacity is available in Manipur and 1500 lines planned for expansion during 2003-2004.

(g) There is no specific difficulty except that the coverage is limited in hilly areas in comparison to plain areas.