Rs 5,236 cr more for defence network

To speed up vacation of additional spectrum by the defence establishments, the Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure on Tuesday approved Rs 5,236 crore additional fund, which will be over and above the Rs 8,098 crore already cleared, for setting up a dedicated alternative communication network for the Army.

“The objective of this approval is to get the Defence Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) network implemented for which the cost estimate has escalated by Rs 5,236 crore due to change in specifications and other requirements emanating from the user,” an official note said.

This network will be implemented by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited in 36 months, it added.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the defence ministry had signed a memorandum of understanding in 2009, according to which the armed forces were to vacate 25 MHz for 3G and 20 MHz for 2G spectrum. DoT was to set up exclusive and dedicated network for defence. This will happen in a phased manner.