(a) the total number of gram panchayats in Rajasthan where broadband connectivity has not reached so far;
(b) the details thereof, district-wise;
(c) the names of cities in Rajasthan where 4G facility is being provided by BSNL;
(d) the details threreof; and
(e) the work plan chalked out by the Government to extend internet facilities in tribal areas of Rajasthan?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS &
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)
(a) & (b) BharatNet project, to connect all the Gram Panchayats (approx. 2.5 lakh) in the country by broadband, including Rajasthan, is being implemented in a phased manner. Under this project, 1859 Gram Panchayats (GPs) are yet to be provided with Broadband connectivity in Rajasthan (District-wise details at Annexure-I).
(c) & (d) BSNL has not provided 4G facility in the State of Rajasthan.
(e) BharatNet project also covers tribal areas of Rajasthan. This project is under implementation and the infrastructure created is national asset, accessible on non-discriminatory basis to the Service Providers. In Rajasthan, as on 02.12.2018, OFC laying & equipment installation has been completed at 8,447 GPs (including BHQ), which are Service Ready. The connectivity to the remaining Gram Panchayats is under implementation.
As part of BharatNet project, the Last Mile connectivity, through Wi-Fi or any other suitable broadband technology to access broadband /internet services, is being provided at all the GPs in the country. Every GP is being provided with an average 5 Access Points (APs), i.e. 2 APs at Public places & 3 APs at Government Institutions such as school, hospital, post offices, police station, etc.
Wi-Fi hotspots at the Gram Panchayats in Rajasthan are being provided through Government of Rajasthan/RISL (a PSU of State Government), with funding from Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF). So far, Wi-Fi hotspots have been installed at 6,500 GPs and services are being provided at 2,802 GPs in the State.