Question : SETTING UP OF MOBILE TOWERS

(a) the criteria/norms for installation of mobile towers in the country;

(b) the current number of mobile towers set up by telecom companies including BSNL and MTNL in the country, circlewise and State-wise including Madhya Pradesh;

(c) the details of towers sanctioned by BSNL and MTNL during the last three years and the current year alongwith the details of towers made functional so far, circle-wise and State-wise; and

(d) the action taken by the Government against the telecom operators who are not setting up of towers as per the needs of telephone capacity, operator-wise?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI MILIND DEORA)

(a) Madam, Telecom Service Providers carry out a planning exercise based on population / existing customer base / expected customer base and Radio Frequency (RF) planning for mobile coverage. Considering above factors, sites / towers is selected as per planned / available equipment. Further, Telecom Service Providers have to obtain siting clearance from Wireless Planning & Coordination (WPC) wing of Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for each and every site from the point of view of interference with other wireless users, aviation hazards and obstruction to any other existing microwave links. Before installation of tower, the telecom service providers have also to obtain necessary clearances from concerned local authorities such as municipal corporation, Gram Panchayat etc.

(b) The current number of Base Transmitting Stations (mobile towers) set up by telecom companies including BSNL and MTNL in the country as on 29.02.2012, Licence Service Area-wise, including Madhya Pradesh is given in Annexure-I.

(c) The mobile tower erection and commissioning is an ongoing process of the project. Mobile Towers are always erected before bringing equipments for commissioning the tower. Circle-wise details of cellular BTSs (2G+3G) installed in the BSNL’s network during the last three years is given in Annexure-II. The details of BTS towers installed by MTNL in the last three years is given in Annexure-III.

(d) Mobile towers and Base Transmitting Stations (BTSs) are being installed by the telecom service providers as per availability of users, spectrum and Radio Frequency planning. This is an ongoing process and telecom service providers augment their mobile network progressively so as to enhance coverage, capacity and to further improve the quality of service.