Lok Sabha Question No. 4755 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-24
Subject: Solar Powered Mobile Towers
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Kanakmal Katara

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4755 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24 TH  MARCH, 2021

## SOLAR POWERED MOBILE TOWERS

†4755. SHRI KANAKMAL KATARA:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  set  up  mobile  towers  powered  by  solar  and  other renewable  energy  for  improving  communication  services  in  Scheduled  Caste  and  Scheduled  Tribe dominated areas of the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the operator-wise details of mobile towers set up in Rajasthan, district-wise; and
- (c) the number of BSNL mobile towers being operated in Banswara-Dungarpur and the number of mobile towers likely to be installed in the said area in the current year?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS, EDUCATION AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE)

- (a) Yes,  Sir.  Government  has  proposed  to  set  up  mobile  towers,  powered  by  solar  and  other renewable  energy  through  various  schemes  under  Universal  Service  Obligation  Fund  (USOF)  to provide telecommunication services in the rural and remote areas of the country. These schemes aim to benefit all the people living in remote and rural areas including Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe population.  However,  no  separate  information  is  maintained  regarding  setting  up  of  mobile  towers powered by solar and other renewable energy for improving communication services specifically for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe dominated areas of the country.
- (b) The  operator-wise  details  of  mobile  towers  set  up  in  Rajasthan,  district-wise  is  attached  as Annexure .  The  Telecom  Service  Providers  (TSPs),  as  per  the  requirement  of  DoT  provide  these numbers as and when asked.
- (c) The  number  of  Bharat  Sanchar  Nigam  Limited  (BSNL)  mobile  towers  being  operated  in Banswara and Dungarpur districts are given below:

| Name of District   |   Number of BSNL mobile towers as on 28-02-21 |
|--------------------|-----------------------------------------------|
| Banswara           |                                            69 |
| Dungarpur          |                                            60 |

Telecom companies explore opportunities to expand their network coverage by installing new towers. This is subject to techno-commercial feasibility.

BSNL and other Telecom Companies have expressed their inability to provide their future plan.

## Number of mobile towers set up in Rajasthan as on 28.02.21

| S No   | District     | Name of Telecom Service Provider   | Name of Telecom Service Provider   | Name of Telecom Service Provider   | Name of Telecom Service Provider   |
|--------|--------------|------------------------------------|------------------------------------|------------------------------------|------------------------------------|
| S No   | District     | BHL                                | RJIL                               | VIL                                | BSNL                               |
| 1      | Ajmer        | 596                                | 869                                | 333                                | 254                                |
| 2      | Alwar        | 659                                | 864                                | 553                                | 217                                |
| 3      | Banswara     | 222                                | 238                                | 153                                | 69                                 |
| 4      | Baran        | 164                                | 342                                | 115                                | 74                                 |
| 5      | Barmer       | 547                                | 854                                | 304                                | 147                                |
| 6      | Bharatpur    | 370                                | 504                                | 307                                | 119                                |
| 7      | Bhilwara     | 459                                | 665                                | 284                                | 185                                |
| 8      | Bikaner      | 526                                | 961                                | 319                                | 239                                |
| 9      | Bundi        | 159                                | 300                                | 114                                | 74                                 |
| 10     | Chittaurgarh | 315                                | 419                                | 180                                | 113                                |
| 11     | Churu        | 372                                | 746                                | 299                                | 147                                |
| 12     | Dausa        | 197                                | 287                                | 172                                | 96                                 |
| 13     | Dhaulpur     | 118                                | 260                                | 103                                | 36                                 |
| 14     | Dungarpur    | 184                                | 207                                | 126                                | 60                                 |
| 15     | Hanumangarh  | 292                                | 613                                | 237                                | 127                                |
| 16     | Jaipur       | 1951                               | 2541                               | 1300                               | 606                                |
| 17     | Jaisalmer    | 192                                | 352                                | 116                                | 78                                 |
| 18     | Jalore       | 325                                | 407                                | 244                                | 108                                |
| 19     | Jhalawar     | 214                                | 351                                | 108                                | 76                                 |
| 20     | Jhunjhunu    | 381                                | 530                                | 289                                | 198                                |
| 21     | Jodhpur      | 888                                | 1551                               | 548                                | 353                                |
| 22     | Karauli      | 176                                | 242                                | 157                                | 79                                 |

## Annexure

| 23    | Kota           | 485    | 833    | 298   | 178   |
|-------|----------------|--------|--------|-------|-------|
| 24    | Nagaur         | 577    | 951    | 500   | 244   |
| 25    | Pali           | 429    | 575    | 238   | 169   |
| 26    | Pratapgarh     | 78     | 166    | 24    | 31    |
| 27    | Rajsamand      | 201    | 322    | 112   | 71    |
| 28    | Sawai Madhopur | 191    | 345    | 142   | 93    |
| 29    | Sikar          | 533    | 649    | 410   | 205   |
| 30    | Sirohi         | 221    | 294    | 125   | 82    |
| 31    | Sriganganagar  | 413    | 643    | 309   | 132   |
| 32    | Tonk           | 216    | 357    | 177   | 93    |
| 33    | Udaipur        | 749    | 968    | 329   | 227   |
| Total | Total          | 13,400 | 20,206 | 9,025 | 4,980 |

## Legends:

BHL :

Bharti Hexacom Limited

BSNL :

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited

RJIL :

Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited

VIL :

Vodafone Idea Limited

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