Question : BASIC TELEPHONE IN NAGPUR

(a) Whether Hughes Telecom India Limited has launched its basic telephone services in Nagpur from October, 2000;

(b) If so , the details thereof?

(c) Whether the company has been granted a licence for basic telephony in Goa and Maharashtra States;

(d) If so, the number of basic telephone connections likely to be released by the company during 2001-02; and

(e) The total expenditure to be incurred thereon?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI TAPAN SIKDAR)

(a) & (b): The Hughes Telecom (India) Limited has launched basic telephone service in Nagpur in March, 2001.

(c) Yes, Sir.

(d) & (e): The company has reported that the number of basic telephone connections likely to be released during 2001-02 is about one lakh and the total expenditure incurred is about Rs. 1800 crores.