HT News Service/PIB |
| Science & Technology | Posted By: hindtodaynews on:3/29/2012 9:44:06 AM |
State Ministers’ Meet on Implementation Strategies of National Optical Fibre NetworkThe State Ministers’ Conference discussed the Implementation strategies of National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) here today. . NOFN, a project to connect 2,50,000 Gram Panchayats (GPs) through Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) was approved by Cabinet last October. NOFN will ensure that broadband of 100Mbps is available at each GP. The network is proposed to be completed in 2 years. The project will be funded by Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) and will be executed by a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), BBNL, a company under the Companies Act, being incorporated for this purpose.
Speaking on the occasion Shri Kapil Sibal, Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology said that the Network will be a weapon to fight against all challenges of 21st Century. He asked the representatives of the States/UTs to sign a tri-partite MoU between Central Govt (Dept of Telecom), respective State Govt /UT & NOFN-SPV . Mr Sibal asked State Govts to issue directions to their concerned authorities for grant of RoW (Right of Way) for implementation, operation and maintenance of NOFN by all state government agencies like PWD/ RES/ Forest/ Municipality/ Panchayat authorities/ Electricity Boards/ Irrigation/ Private Electricity Distribution Agency etc. as applicable.. He said no RoW charges including reinstatement charges be levied by any State Government, their local bodies, companies or agencies as the information highway proposed to be created through NOFN for broadband connectivity to Panchayats is primarily for the benefit of the local communities to Panchayats and State Governments. This support will be considered as contribution of the State Government towards this project as a larger good for ensuring the time bound implementation of the programme and to avoid any delays in grant of RoW permission.
.Shri Sam Pitroda, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Infrastructure said that NOFN is being laid with clear focus on e-governance, education and health. He said things have changed due to cloud computing and other technological innovations and these have to be suitably reflected. Shri Ravi Shankar, Administrator of Universal Service Obligation Fund( USOF) made a brief presentation outlining NOFN details, support required from State Governments/UTs and its benefits to State Governments
At present, optical fiber has predominantly reached state capitals, districts and blocks and there is a plan to connect all the 2,50,000 Gram panchayats in the country through optical fibre utilizing existing fibers of PSUs viz. BSNL, Railtel and Power Grid, and laying incremental fiber to connect to Gram Panchayat wherever necessary. Dark fiber network thus created will be lit by appropriate technology thus creating sufficient bandwidth at GPs level. This will be called National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN). With this the prevailing connectivity gap between GPs and Blocks/Districts will be filled. Non-discriminatory access to the network will be provided to all the telecom service providers. These access providers like mobile operators, ISPs, Cable TV operators, content providers can launch various services in rural areas. Further the broadband connectivity will be available to GPs for various applications like e-health, e-education and e-governance etc. by these operators.
Coverage of Panchayats with Broadband internet connectivity has a potential for empowering rural masses by giving them access to information, public services including those of education, health and financial inclusion.
Applications for Panchayats are planning, management, monitoring and payments under various government schemes (e.g. MNREGA, PDS, Land Records, Birth/Death Certificates, Digital Literacy, etc.), e—governance, education, health, employment, agriculture and commerce.
As access service providers like mobile operators, ISP, Cable TV operators, content provider etc. launch their access network and service using NOFN, it will result in creation of local employment, revenue generation and growth of GDP leading to overall prosperity of the State. For this space and power at Gram Panchayat Bhavan or any other suitable location on free of cost basis for equipment placement and smooth operation of the NOFN project is required.
In addition, State Governments need to take necessary advance action for NOFN utilization for various applications including e-governance once connectivity is established to gram panchayats. They are also required to leverage their ICT policies so as to bring awareness, digital literacy among the rural masses so that Broadband and telecom can bring prosperity in the life of rural masses.
Over 100 delegates from various states and Government Departments including officials of Ministry of Communications & IT participated in the conference.