(a) whether the Government have allowed international internet gateway facility only to cities of `A` status;
(b) if so, the names of cities having said status in the country at present;
(c) whether Andhra Pradesh Government have requested the Union Government to upgrade Hyderabad city to `A; status and provide its own gateway and made available 50 MBPs Internet backbone nodes for the city;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the decision taken by the Government in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI TAPAN SIKDAR)
(a) No, Sir.
(b) Not applicable in view of (a) above.
(c) & (d): Government has received a request from Andhra Pradesh Government to upgrade the existing BSNL Internet node at Hyderabad to `A` status, provide it with International Internet Gateway, make available 50 Mbps for the upgraded A I Internet Backbone node for Hyderabad and to allot STM-I (155 Mbps) for Hyderabad Internet Node has been approved in principle and necessary equipment/bandwidth is under procurement process.