Question : SETTING UP MOBILE TOWERS

(a) the details of mobile towers set up by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) in its service areas, State and telecom district-wise;

(b) whether representations have been received by the Government from the elected representatives for installation of mobile towers in remote parts of India, especially in remote and inaccessible areas of Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh;

(c) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereon, State-wise;

(d) whether the mobile towers set up by BSNL are not adequate for fault free mobile signals and some of installed towers are non-functional; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the new towers proposed to be set up by BSNL during the current year, State and circle-wise?

THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a) Circle-wise details of mobile towers setup by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) as on 31.01.2015 are given in Annexure-I.

(b)&(c) Yes, Madam. Representations have been received from the elected representatives for installation of mobile towers. Circle-wise details are given in Annexure-II. The installation of BTSs (Base Transceiver Stations) at these places will be considered by BSNL on the basis of techno commercial viability.

Government is committed to the expansion of mobile connectivity in all parts of the country including remote and inaccessible areas of Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh. Government has approved a proposal to implement a Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan for North-Eastern Region to provide mobile coverage to 8621 identified uncovered villages, installation of 321 mobile tower sites along National Highways and strengthening of transmission network in North-Eastern states. Mobile coverage to balance uncovered villages is to be provided in a phased manner over five years. Telecom Commission has given ‘in principle’ approval for Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan for Andaman & Nicobar islands and Lakshadweep islands.

(d)&(e) GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) based Cellular Mobile Service being provided by BSNL is working satisfactorily in its licensed service areas and is, in general, meeting the QoS (Quality of Service) parameters prescribed by TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India). Monitoring of the network has also been strengthened to ensure performance as per the QoS parameters. To strengthen its mobile network in urban and rural areas BSNL is adding 15 million GSM lines under Phase-VII GSM expansion project which includes installation of 14731 BTS (2G) and 10914 BTS (3G Node Bs) in different telecom circles. Out of these 9976 BTSs (2G) and 7322 BTSs (3G Node B) have been commissioned as on 31.01.2015. Circle-wise details of the remaining 4755 (2G BTSs) and 3592 (3G Node B) are given in Annexure-III.