ETR to link Northeast through optic fibre cable

Aizawl, Sep 24 (UNI) To upgrade communication infrastructure, Eastern Telecom Region (ETR) has worked out a comprehensive new plan to connect NE states through optical fiber link using Dense Wave-length Division Multiplexing (DWDM) technology.

ETR Chief General Manager R N Panda told UNI that the NE states, including Sikkim, will be getting the stable communication networks by next December especially in the areas of Cellone service, Internet, Broadband network and WLL telephone.

''As part of the new project, we are going to set up a seperate ETR sub-region in Dimapur, Nagaland exclusively for NE states while persuing with NE Power Grid Corporation to use their overhead optical fibre line for alternative stand by media in any emergency'', Mr Panda said.

He said the first phase ring formation work is nearing completion in Agartala-Silchar-Shillong-Guwahati-Itanagar-Imphal-Kohima route while the second phase will connect Aizawl and Gangtok by first quarter of 2007.

''Due to hilly terrians and peculiar physiography ETR is still procuring most costly Microwave instruments for NE states at a time when the entire country is switching over to digital system'', he maintained.

To expedite the work Northeast task force has been involved in the installation work of the DWDM system among the NE states along with ETR opreations, he said and added that ETR has alrady installed three Digital Circut Multiplication Equipment (DCME) system in the region apart from setting up optical fiber linkage for providing a stand by alternative media of communication.

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