The project envisages provision of 1000 Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) in Phase-I and 6863 BTSs in Phase-II.

The BTS under Phase-I and Phase-II deployment have been planned for completion by March 2010 and March 2011 respectively.

The villages falling within a radius of about 5-10 kms from BTS will be covered with wireless broadband service, Kamat said. 

Village Public Telephones

Replying to a query in Rajya Sabha, Kamat also said that the number of Village Public Telephones (VPTs) was being revised to 62 302 against the previously decided number of 66 822, as provision of VPTs in some of the villages is not feasible due to difficult terrain, non-traceability and submerging of villages.

In November 2004, an agreement was signed with BSNL for provision of Village Public Telephone (VPTs) in 66, 822 uncovered villages in the country as per the Census 1991 with subsidy support from Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) as a part of the activities under Bharat Nirman Programme.

Out of 62 302 VPTs, 60 208 VPTs (96.64 per cent) have been provided as on October 31, 2009. 

Underground cable

Kamat also said that BSNL has not stopped work of laying of underground cable during last seven years. In fact around 17 Lakh Conductor Kilo Meter (LCKM) Poly Insulated jelly Filled (PIJF) cable has been laid upto September 30, 2009 and 16000 route kms Optical Fibre (OF) cable has been laid up to Novemebr 30, 2009 during this year.

About a total of 36 LCKM PIJF cable and 26500 route kms OF cable is expected to be laid during this financial year.