The Digital Communication Commission (DCC) has given go-ahead to multiple telecom infrastructure projects worth Rs 8,588 crore. The infrastructure projects are for tower installations that will lead to better connectivity in far-flung areas, besides a proposal for equal access to all mobile phone companies into residential complexes and buildings.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will request the Ministry of Housing Affairs to issue guidelines to provide free and fair access to all telecom service providers (TSP) for communication services. 4G connectivity has been approved for uncovered villages in the North-East. This includes 2,215 villages in Arunachal Pradesh and 763 villages in two districts of Assam which also includes the highway. The total estimated cost of the projects is Rs 2,536 crore.
The inter-ministerial panel also gave its nod to a special scheme to cover close to 12,000 uncovered villages in aspirational districts. It has also given nod to 1,917 mobile towers for 2,968 uncovered villages of Arunachal Pradesh and two districts of Assam. The proposal will tabled for Union Cabinet’s nod. The project will be completed in 18 months from the date it is awarded to operators.
DCC also approved 1,593 mobile towers for 4G connectivity in 2,691 uncovered villages of Meghalaya at an outlay Rs 2,132 crore. Another proposal has been sanctioned with an outlay of Rs 2,065 crore for Bharat Net project in Telangana and Rs 1,815 crore in Tamil Nadu.
