THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHOK PRADHAN)
(a) No, Sir. Communications facilities are in existence in North Eastern States. The telecom infrastructure
provided by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited upto October, 2003 to provide communications facilities are as follows:
(i) Direct Exchange Lines 8.45 lakhs
(ii) Optical Fibre Cable laid 6333 Route Kilometers
(iii) Microwave Systems 9115 Route Kilometers.
(iv) No. of Village Panchayat Telephones 24051
In addition, Cellular Mobile Telephone Service has also been launched by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited
starting from Kohima on 27.10.2003.
(b) Prior to August, 2002 there was a ban on fresh start or expansion of Cellular Mobile Telephone Service in
North Eastern States due to security considerations. Subsequently, the Cellular Mobile Telephone Service (CMTS)
Operators have planned to expand their network for provision of the service in the North Eastern States.
(c) No, Sir. The present licence holders for North East Telecom Circle for mobile (cellular) service could
not expand their services earlier on account of the said ban.
(d) Does arise not applicable in view of (c) above.
(e) Yes, Sir.
(f) Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited has planned to provide cellular connectivity in North Eastern States. The details
of Cellular Mobile Telephone capacity planned in each State of North Eastern Region is as below:
S. No. State Capacity (Lines)
1. Arunachal Pradesh 14,300
2. Assam 42,550
3. Manipur 8,300
4. Meghalaya 7,300
5. Mizoram 8,300
6. Nagaland 8,300
7 Tripura 6,300
