Question : SHORTAGE OF TELEPHONE CABLES

(a) whether there is a long waiting list of landline phones and shortage of telephone cables in the country especially in Gujarat;

(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and

(c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA)

(a)&(b) Sir, the circle-wise waiting list of landline phones and availability of telephone cable as on 31.3.2008 is given in Annexure. There is no shortage of cable in any circle including Gujarat Telecom circle.

(c) Following steps have been taken by the Government to clear the pending waiting list:

(i) To meet the demand of wireline telephones in rural areas, BSNL is now laying cable up to 5 Kms of exchange against the earlier standard of 2.5 Kms.

(ii) BSNL has deployed WLL network in rural areas to meet the demand of scattered and far-flung rural areas where connection of telephone is not techno-commercially feasible on landlines.

(iii) Remote and far-flung areas which are not possible to be covered with terrestrial technology, are planned to be covered with Digital Satellite Phone Terminals (DSPTs).

(iv) The mobile network of BSNL covers most of the national highways, important towns, pilgrim centers and state highways. BSNL plans to cover all villages with population up to 1000 with mobile services over next three years.