(a) the details of the schemes prepared by the Government for extension of telecommunication services in tribal and naxal affected areas of the country;
(b) the target fixed and achieved by the Government with regard to extension of telecommunication services across the country, State/UT-wise; and
(c) the funds allocated/spent by the Government in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS &
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)
(a) to (c) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT TO BE LAID ON THE TABLE OF LOK SABHA IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *303 FOR 2ND JANUARY, 2019 ON “TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES”.
(a) to (c): Following schemes are being implemented by Government for providing telecom services in tribal and Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas:
I. Mobile connectivity in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas:
(1) LWE Phase-I project: Government has set up 2343 mobile towers under LWE Phase-I project. Details are at Annexure-I
(2) LWE Phase-II project: Government has approved a project for providing mobile connectivity in the 4072 identified locations in Left wing Extremism affected areas on 23.05.2018. State-wise list is at Annexure-II.
II. BharatNet project: BharatNet project is being implemented to create broadband infrastructure for provision of connectivity to all 2.5 lakh (approx.) Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country, including in tribal and naxal affected areas. As on 23.12.2018, a total of 1,16,590 GPs have been made Service Ready, and for the remaining GPs, the implementation is underway. State/ UT-wise details are at Annexure-III.
As part of BharatNet project, the Last Mile connectivity, through Wi-Fi or any other suitable broadband technology to access broadband /internet services is being provided at all the GPs in the country, including in tribal and naxal affected areas. On an average, 5 Wi-Fi Access Points (APs) are being provided at each GP. Of these, 3 APs will be connected to Government Institutions such as Police Stations, Schools, Hospitals, and Post Offices, while 2 APs will be available for public use. So far, Wi-Fi hotspots have been installed at 39,379 GPs and of these, services are being provided in 10,943 GPs.
III. Comprehensive Telecom Development Project for the North-Eastern Region (NER): Comprehensive Telecom Development Project for the North-Eastern Region (NER) to install 6673 mobile towers for 8621 identified uncovered villages, 321 mobile towers for National Highways and strengthening of transmission network in the NER is being implemented. Details are at Annexure-IV.
IV. Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan for Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep Islands:
(i) Submarine Optical Fibre Cable connectivity between Chennai and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
(ii) Satellite Bandwidth Augmentation for Andaman & Nicobar from 260 Mbps to 2 Gbps and augmentation of Intra Island OFC network in Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
(iii) Mobile connectivity in Andaman & Nicobar Islands to cover uncovered villages and seamless coverage on National Highway (NH 223).
(iv) Lakshadweep: Augmentation of Satellite bandwidth from 102 Mbps to 1.71 Gbps.
Rs. 19334 crore has been disbursed under BharatNet project for all States/UTs of the country. In addition, Rs. 2713.52 crore has been disbursed by Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) for three schemes, namely, mobile connectivity in Left Wing Extremism affected areas, Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan for the North-Eastern Region and Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan for Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep Islands.