Question : BROADBAND SERVICES

(a) the comparative data on internet connections in rural and urban areas in the country as on date, State-wise;

(b) whether any time frame has been fixed to facilitate all the villages in the country with broadband;

(c) if so, the action taken and the funds earmarked by the Government in this regard, State-wise;

(d) whether the private players are providing/bound to provide broadband facilities in rural areas; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government against those players who have made no contribution/less contribution in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI SACHIN PILOT)

(a) The State-wise broadband subscribers including urban and rural areas as on November 2010 is given in Annexure-I. However Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has provided 7,70,000 connections in rural areas as on 31.1.2011. Circle-wise detail is given in Annexure-II.

(b) & (c) Under Bharat Nirman, the Government envisages to cover all the 2,50,000 village panchayats with broadband by 2012. As of January 2011, 97,548 Village Panchayats have been covered with broadband. As regards funds no separate allocation has been made under Bharat Nirman. However, funds have been allocated in different schemes of Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) under which Gram Panchayats are being covered.

(d) There is no specific rural obligations defined in Internet Service Provider (ISP) Licence agreement.

(e) Does not arise in view of (d) above.