Intending to provide internet connectivity across the rural belt of the country, linking crores of villagers to the worldwide web, Government of India has announced to clear a proposal to provide three internet connections and one Wi-Fi hotspot in each of the 2.5 lakh gram panchayats spread across the country. The project is expected to be completed by March 2016 and will ride on the National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN). This measure was initiated by the Department of Telecom (DoT) and received a go-ahead by the inter-ministerial Telecom Commission (TC) on Friday.
The total cost of the broadband project has been pegged at Rs.3,750 crore, a source said, adding that this will be funded by the Universal Service Obligation (USO) Fund. Operating expenses are estimated at Rs.1,860 crore.
The government had cleared the Rs.20,000-crore NOFN project in October 2011 to provide connectivity to the gram panchayat level. At present, optical fibre cable connectivity is available in all state capitals, districts, HQs and up to the block level. The idea of the NOFN project was to connect the blocks to the gram panchayats.
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