Lok Sabha Question No. 5470 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-28
Subject: Internet Speed and Connectivity
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: MALLIKARJUN  KHARGE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5470 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28 th      MARCH, 2018

## INTERNET SPEED AND CONNECTIVITY

5470. SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether optical fibre based Internet connectivity and its proper speed is essential for cashless transactions;
- (b) if so, whether the existing internet speed in the country is one of the lowest in the world and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  the  current  spectrum  policies  do  not  facilitate  achieving  universal broadband availability, especially in areas with lower commercial potential and if so, the details  thereof  and  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  address  aforementioned issues including internet speed; and
- (d) the  other  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  streamline  wireless  internet connectivity and the progress made so far to boost cashless transactions?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS & MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a) Optical fibre based Internet connectivity is not essential for cashless transactions as optimum internet speed for the same is achievable with or without optical fibre based connectivity.
- (b) As per Akamai's (an international agency) Quarter 1, 2017 report on 'The State of Internet', India with an average internet speed of 6.5 Mbps has a global rank of 89.

Internet speed depends on various parameters such as technology deployed, network coverage, number of simultaneous users accessing the internet, connectivity to the website being accessed etc. The speed of mobile internet is further dependent on a number of factors such as distance from Base Transceiver Station (BTS) serving the customer,  the  number  of  simultaneous  users  being  served  by  the  BTS,  the  traffic handled by the BTS etc. As such, the mobile users may experience different speeds at different location and time of usage.

(c) & (d) As per current spectrum policy, access spectrum is assigned to Telecom Service Providers through auction for the entire licensed service area, which includes rural as well as urban areas. Further, Notice Inviting Applications No:1000/06/2016-WF (Auction) dated 8 th  August 2016 through which last spectrum auction was carried out, inter-alia, provides for rollout obligations for coverage of Rural Short Distance Charging Areas (SDCAs) also in 2100 Megahertz (MHz), 2300 MHz & 2500 MHz spectrum.

Government  has  planned the BharatNet project to provide  100  Mbps broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) (approx. 2.5 lakh) in the country by using an optimal mix of underground fibre, fibre over power lines, radio and satellite media  to  be  completed  by  March  2019.  Under  this  project,  last  mile  connectivity  is planned to be provided though Wi-Fi or any other suitable technology. Upto 18 th  March 2018, 268195 Kms of Optical Fibre Cable has been laid and 104813 GPs have been made service ready.

Under Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) scheme for setting up Wi-Fi Choupals at 5,000 Gram Panchayats (GPs) through Common Service Centre - Special Purpose Vehicle (CSC-SPV) of Ministry of Electronics & IT, Wi-Fi Choupals have been installed in all 5000 GPs, out of which service delivery has commenced in 1833 GPs.

Under USOF's other scheme for setting up public Wi-Fi hotspots at BSNL's 25,000  telephone  exchanges  in  rural  areas,  at  2429  exchanges  Wi-Fi  hotspots  have been installed and service delivery has commenced.

In  addition  to  the  above,  Government  has  allocated  965  MHz  spectrum through  auction  in  October  2016  to  various  telecom  service  providers  for  access services  in  the  country.  Telecom  Service  Providers  are  continuously  rolling  out  their networks using this spectrum resulting into increase in internet connectivity and speed in the country.

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