Question : OPTICAL FIBRE CABLES

(a) the criteria laid down to provide Optical Fibre Cables (OFC) to telephone exchanges;

(b) the present status of laying of OFC network in the country;

(c) the progress made so far regarding laying of OFC in different telephone exchanges in rural areas of Karnataka, Nasik in Maharashtra;

(d) the names of districts and twons in Madhya Pradesh linked with OFC at present and proposed to be linked during next financial year;

(e) the time by which the OFC is likely to be provided in the remaining towns of the State; and

(f) the expenditure likely to be incurred thereon?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS(SHRI TAPAN SIKDAR)

(a) Department of Telecommunications has plans to connect all the exchanges in the country with reliable media which includes Microwave, Satellite and Optical Fibre Cable by March, 2002 depending upon geographical location and technical feasibility for the concerned exchange. After formation of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) it is also following New Telecom Policy 1999 (NTP, 1999), and plan to give reliable media to all exchanges by March, 2002.

(b) At present total length of OFC laid in the country by BSNL is approximately 1,97,638 R Km upto 30.11.2000.

(c) In rural areas of Karnataka out of 1958 rural exchanges, 838 exchanges are provided with OFC connectivity.
In Nasik of Maharashtra out of 208 exchanges 63 exchanges are provided with OFC connectivity.

(d) The names of district and towns in Madhya Pradesh linked with OFC at present and proposed to be linked during next financial year is given in Annexure.

(e) It is planned to provide reliable media to all telephone exchanges of Madhya Pradesh by March 2002 subject to availability of resources.

(f) The likely expenditure is approximately Rs. 507 crores.