Lok Sabha Question No. 1135 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-02-08
Subject: Internet Connectivity for Cashless Transactions
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE, SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1135

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 8 TH  FEBRUARY, 2017

## INTERNET CONNECTIVITY FOR CASHLESS TRANSACTIONS

1135.   DR. PRITAM GOPINATH MUNDE: DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Internet connectivity using fibre backbones is essential for cashless transactions;
- (b) if so, whether our present network development and spectrum policies do not facilitate achieving  universal  broadband,  especially  in  areas  with  lower  commercial  potential  than prosperous urban clusters;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government to address the issue;
- (d) whether  radical  changes  such  as  pooling  and  sharing  network  infrastructure  is essential for widespread connectivity; and
- (e) if  so,  the  concerted  action  taken  by  the  Union  Government  to  streamline  Internet wireless connectivity 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) No  Madam,  Internet  connectivity  using  fibre  backbones  is  not  necessarily  required  for cashless transactions.
- (b) & (c) The  present  network  development  and  spectrum  policies  are  uniform  for  the  entire telecom service area irrespective of low commercial areas or urban areas.

However,  in  order  to  further improve  internet/ broadband  facilities  in rural  areas, BharatNet  project  has  been  planned  to  establish  a  network  infrastructure by connecting  all  Gram Panchayats (approx. 2.5 lakh) in the country by using an optimal mix of underground fibre, fibre over power  lines,  radio  and  satellite  media,  for  providing  broadband  connectivity  by  all  categories  of service providers on non-discriminatory basis.

The  project  is  planned  to  be  implemented  in  three  phases.    Under  first  phase  of  the project, 1 lakh Gram Panchayats (GPs) are to be connected by laying underground OFC by March 2017. Under second phase, connectivity will be provided to remaining 1.5 lakh GPs in the country using  an  optimal  mix  of  underground  fibre,  fibre  over  power  lines,  radio  and  satellite  media,  by December, 2018. Futuristic network with ring topology to be used between districts and blocks and blocks and GPs, targeted to be completed by 2023.

As on 29.01.2017, Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) has been laid to 76,089 Gram Panchayats (GPs)  with  a  total  length  of  1,72,257  km. Out  of  these,  16,355  GPs  have  been  provided  with broadband connectivity.

- (d) Pooling of infrastructure helps in bringing capital cost down. The Department has allowed sharing of active infrastructure such as node B, Radio Access Network (RAN), Antenna Feeder cable & Transmission systems within Licensees apart from permitting sharing of spectrum.
- (e) Government has allocated 965 Megahertz spectrum through auction to various telecom service  providers  during  the  last  one  year  which  will  also  improve  the  growth  of  wireless  internet connectivity to further boost the cashless transactions.

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