(a) whether the Government proposes to lay optical fibre for providing internet network
in the villages of the country;
(b) if so, whether the WiFi medium is a better option than optical fibre to achieve the
objective within the stipulated time: and
(c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons for opting for fibre network over WiFi?
THE MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI KAPIL SIBAL)
(a)to(c) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT TO BE LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE LOK SABHA IN RESPECT OF PARTS
(a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 286 FOR 14TH DECEMBER, 2011
REGARDING `OPTICAL FIBRE AND WIFI`
(a) Yes, Madam. Government proposes to lay optical fibre for providing
Broadband Network initially to all the Gram Panchayats in the Country.
(b)&(c) WiFi is a technology for connecting electronic devices such as personal
computer, smart phone, laptop etc. over short distance in indoor as well as outdoor locations
for last mile connectivity. Whereas for higher bandwidth requirements, efficiency of
transmission and superior broadband experience optical fibre medium is more suitable. If we
have to reach the benefits of education, health etc to the rural areas, it is more than likely
that the medium will be video, which requires comparatively larger bandwidth. Given the falling
prices of the customer end devices, utility of video based applications, as well as the
possibilities that Entertainment holds, it is reasonable to expect that at least one third
of the households, if not more, would be accessing broadband facilities. In the recommend-
ations on the National broadband plan, TRAI estimated that the backhaul requirement for a
village would be of the order of 20 Mbps by the year 2014, which will require an aggregation
network having higher capacities. Therefore the required higher bandwidth can be provided
more efficiently through optical fibre. However, last mile connectivity from these village
panchayats is expected to be met largely through market dynamics and commercial
considerations using any of the available technologies both wireline, cable TV and wireless
(including WiFi). It may be noted that even with wireless technologies(including WiFi), the
required robust, reliable and scalable backhaul connectivity is optimally provided by optical
fibre media.