Question : National Broadband Mission

(a) the salient features of the ‘National Broadband Mission’ launched across the country along with the details of the targets set by the Government thereunder;

(b) the estimated fund to be allocated by the Government under the said Mission, State/UT-wise including Bihar and Uttar Pradesh;

(c) the number of districts in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh likely to be included under this Mission; and

(d) whether the Government has proposed fast track connectivity in the villages including the villages of West Champaran district of Bihar under the Mission and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS, LAW & JUSTICE AND
ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a) to (d) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT TO BE LAID ON THE TABLE OF LOK SABHA IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) to (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 404 FOR 24TH MARCH 2021 REGARDING “NATIONAL BROADBAND MISSION”

(a) National Broadband Mission (NBM) was launched on 17th December, 2019 with a vision to enable fast track growth of digital communications infrastructure, bridge the digital divide for digital empowerment and inclusion, and provide affordable and universal access of broadband for all. The Mission, inter-alia, envisages achieving following deliverables:-

(i) Broadband connectivity to all villages.
(ii) Availability of high broadband speeds.
(iii) Acceleration of fiberization.
(iv) Increasing tower density and fiberization of telecom towers.
(v) Mapping of fibre.

(b) & (c) It is envisaged that the expenditure of the Government through the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) is likely to be approximately Rupees 70, 000 Crore under the National Broadband Mission. The Mission envisages covering all Districts/States of the country including all districts of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

(d) The Mission aims to provide all villages of the country, including the villages of West Champaran district of Bihar, with access to broadband by 2022 by utilizing appropriate technologies, including optical fiber, radio networks, and satellite. The status of telecom connectivity in Bihar including the district of West Champaran is placed at Annexure.