CIOL:BSNL puts in Rs 2000 cr for broadband

NEW DELHI: The Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology, Shakeel Ahmad, has informed the Rajya Sabha that Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has decided to invest about Rs 2000 crore, to proliferate broadband in both urban and rural areas across the country in a progressive manner.

The Minister further stated that with effect from January 1, 2007, all the broadband customers, except those with unlimited plan, have been upgraded from the minimum speed of 256 Kbps to 2 Mbps at the existing tariff, subject to technical feasibility. The present broadband customer base of BSNL across the country is 8.77 lakhs.

He also informed the Lok Sabha that the government would provide support for provision of infrastructure for mobile services including Wireless Access Services using Fixed/Mobile terminals in rural and remote areas of the country.

"The infrastructure shall be created in those specified areas where no

fixed wireless or mobile coverage exists," said Ahmad. "A total of 7,871 towers would be set up in rural and remote areas of the country in 500 districts spread over 27 states."

Tenders have been invited from the existing Basic Service Operators (BSO), Cellular Mobile Telephone Service (CMTS) providers, Unified Access Services Licences (UASL) and short-listed Infrastructure Providers Category-I (IP-I) comprising of both private and public sector operators. Bids have been received to set up these towers, he added.

In a written reply to a question by Shobhana Bhartia and Prema Cariappa, Ahmad also stated that the government has appointed a committee consisting Group of Ministers to recommend the vacation plan for spectrum from Government and semi-Government agencies such as defense, space and paramilitary, etc.

The Minister further stated that the policy on spectrum for 3G services would take into account the recommendations of GoM, which are awaited.

© CyberMedia News

Toon porn star 'Savita bhabhi' under fire

Not Airtel, but Apple decides iPhone prices

Indians on par with US s/w developers

iPhone is 'over priced' in India

India to get 3G iPhone with bugs

Toon porn star Savita Bhabhi in police radar

India among top 10 spam sending countries

Apple iPhone 3G makes its India debut

iPhone and gPhone shake up wireless world

India set to receive 3G iPhone

	Altera 40-nm Stratix^® IV FPGA available now!
	Tame the information wave with EMC Solution
	Strong Business needs Green Intelligence

	Motorola : Good Mobile Messaging
	Smart Enterprises = Smart CIOs
	"Start, Build & Advance your PM career"

	Bringing your IT needs under one roof
	How to fix web application security and compliance issues

	How to stretch your dollars?
	Targeted audience, Customized messaging
	Reaching Rs.5000 crs IT spends