India has the second largest telecommunications in the world and the third largest Internet user base, making it an advanced nation in terms of Information Technology. Now, India’s state-owned telecom company Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is looking to expand its operations in Northeast India by investing a whopping 300 crore rupees in the next financial year to improve internet connectivity in the region as informed by the chairman and managing director, Anupam Shrivastava on November 18. BSNL is also considering working alongside the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) for optical fibres.
India, despite having the third largest internet user base, was ranked a poor 115th with regard to internet speed (2Mbps) according to second quarter 2014 report by US-based Akamai Technologies. To make matters worse, telecom connectivity in the northeast is hampered by uneven terrains which make it difficult for operators to provide connections and stable internet speeds.
However, BSNLs Digital India campaign seems to be taken seriously with Shrivastava announcing that assistance will be sought from neighbouring Bangladesh after completion of several MoUs. Good news for the region is that Shrivastava has already worked in the northeast including Guwahati, Manipur and Meghalaya and has an understanding of the connectivity issues faced here which as a result, has brought about new ideas.
Shrivastava went on to say, “We have realised that optical fibres laid through the ground are not the best solution. Instead, clubbing them with overhead electrical lines is much better. Therefore, we have tied up with the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited. 810 GB capacity of Internet will be transmitted through PGCIL. Dialogue is on with Bangladesh as well for lines to be laid through Cox Bazaar. We’re sure Internet will reach every household in the region soon.”
Meanwhile, Vodafone India has launched ‘Superfast 3G Services’ for optimum use which will cater to internet users in Guwahati. The Superfast 3G service will be aided by 285 new 3G towers as informed by Vodafone’s Assam and Northeast business head Alok Verma.
Aside from BSNL and Vodafone’s ambitious initiative, internet connectivity in the Northeast could witness a major improvement if more private entities venture out into the telecom sector. However, the lack of interested investors is halting progress in this field.
India’s largest public sector telecom company has succeeded in offering competitive tariffs and expanding its network even to rural areas in the form of Wi-Max, but how much further BSNL can push its operations is to be seen in the days to come.
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