National Broadband Plan to go to cabinet nod by Aug 2011

New Delhi, Aug 2: Department of Telecommunication is preparing to send National Broadband Plan (NBP) for cabinet approval by end of this month.

"We are hoping that by end of August, we should be able to place the matter (NBP) before cabinet," R Chandrashekhar, secretary, DoT said.

DoT has circulated a note on NBP to government departments for their comments. It is expecting to get the inputs from all the department in two weeks time after which the NBP plan will be sent for cabinet approval.

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has estimated expenditure of rolling out optical fibre network for NBP at Rs 65,669 crore.

While DoT is waiting for response of government departments on NBP, it has simultaneously started working on the tender process.

"Four project teams are working towards digitalisation of existing infrastructure, GIS mapping of the existing infrastructure, creation of bid documents, formation of special purpose vehicle and formulation of memorandum of understanding with state governments to bring them on board," DoT secretary said.

DoT will use Geographical Information System (GIS) to map existing network of optical fibre network in the country. Bids will be invited for shortest distance to connect panchayats and other bodies with the existing infrastructure.

Entire funding for NBP will be provided from Universal Service Obligation Fund set up for developing telecom infrastructure.

PTI