(a) whether the Government has any concrete or corrective resolution to sort out Internet network problem, server problem, link fail in regard to cashless economy in the country; and
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the measures taken by the Government in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE
(a) & (b) As apprised by Department of Telecommunications, in order to facilitate expansion of telecommunication services, following policy initiatives and development programs have been initiated:
(i) making available sufficient spectrum for mobile services including auction of 965 MHz across different bands (700, 800, 900, 1800, 2100, 2300 and 2500 MHz bands) in 2016.
(ii) allowing spectrum sharing, trading and liberalisation of administratively allocated spectrum as per guidelines.
(iii) permitting sharing of active as well as passive infrastructure by the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) for achieving higher utilisation efficiency.
(iv) permitting Internet Protocol (IP) based interconnections between TSPs, in addition to the prevailing arrangements.
(v) notification of Indian Telegraph Right of Way Rules, 2016 dated 15.11.2016 for regulating underground infrastructure (optical fibre) and over-ground infrastructure (mobile towers).
(vi) periodic review of expansion of mobile networks and related improvements carried out by TSPs.
Further, in order to root out internet network problem in the country, the Government and TSPs are taking steps to provide mobile coverage in all villages and remote areas in the country on a continuing basis.
Further, as per National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) circular dated 23.4.2019, there are schemes being implemented by NABARD to provide funding support for connectivity and power infrastructure to banks. Under these schemes, funding support as per the extant guidelines is provided out of the Financial Inclusion Fund (FIF) for deployment of Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs), Solar power unit/ UPS and mobile signal boosters in the kiosks /fixed Customer Service Points (CSPs) and newly opened bank-branches in Special Focus Districts.
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