(a) whether the Government proposes to formulate any project to make broadband services better and streamline it across the country and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government proposes to conduct any survey in this regard; and
(c) if so, whether the Government is planning to invite any Non-Governmental Organisation or company for this purpose and if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS &
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)
(a) to (c) BharatNet project (Phase-I) is being implemented to provide broadband connectivity to 1,00,000 Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country. As on 24.12.2017, optical fibre connectivity has been provided to 1,08,237 GPs by laying 2,52,547 km Optical Fibre Cable and 96,039 GPs have been made service ready under the BharatNet project (Phase-I). The Phase-II of the Project will cover remaining approximately 1,50,000 GPs in the country. The implementation of Phase-II of the Project is proposed to be done through States, Private Sector and Central Public Sector Undertakings. All GPs are targeted to be provided with broadband facility by March, 2019. The last mile connectivity through Wi-Fi or any other suitable broadband technology will also be provided in all the GPs of the country under this project. Non-discriminatory access of this network will be made available to the Service Providers in rural areas.