Govt preparing DPR for telecom project in North-East

The Department of Telecom (DoT) is preparing a detailed project report (DPR) for providing telecom connectivity to the North-East region.

The Cabinet on September 10, 2014, had approved an over Rs 5,300 crore project to boost telecom infrastructure and connectivity in the region.

The project envisages providing 2G mobile coverage in identified uncovered areas and seamless mobile coverage along National Highways in the North-East region.

"Work is going on for the project and a DPR is being prepared by the government for it," an official source said.

There are about 43,200 villages in the North-East region, out of which 9,190 are not connected to any mobile network.

Under this project, Cabinet had approved covering 8,621 villages by installing 6,673 towers.

The project will also give seamless connectivity to national highways through 321 mobile towers.

The plan will be funded from the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) in which all telecom operators contribute a part of revenue earned from telephone calls.