Broadband connectivity to gram panchayats by 2012

NEW DELHI, INDIA: The gram panchayats in the country would get broadband connectivity in a progressive manner by the end of 2012. Out of about 2.5 lakh gram panchayats across the country, 30,000 have been provided with broadband connectivity.

Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), under its Rural Wireless Broadband Scheme, has planned to provide connectivity to about five lakh villages in a phased manner, said a press release.

USOF has also signed an agreement with BSNL for subsidy disbursement for providing 9 lakh wireline broadband connections including customer premises equipment and computer/ computing devices in rural and remote areas.

Out of 21389 gram panchayats in Andhra Pradesh, 6871 are broadband enabled.