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The government will need to invest about Rs 2,918 crore to improve mobile connectivity in the north eastern region, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has said in its recommendation, released on Thursday.
However, Trai did not give any suggestion on the possible source of the funds. Trai chairman Rahul Khullar, when asked specifically, said that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) would think over the issue.
DoT had, on April 22, 2013, asked Trai for its suggestions on what needs to be done to improve telecom services in the north eastern region, and how much investment it may require.
The north eastern region constitutes of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. At present, the teledensity in these areas are just at around 40% and about 10% in the villages.
“First, we need to ensure seamless 2G connectivity (for voice) in the north eastern region. And the connectivity across the national highways also needs to be ensured. In the towns, telcos should also offer 3G network,” said Khullar.
In its recommendations, Trai has suggested that the DoT should offer a “discount of two% of adjusted gross revenue (AGR) of license fee” to telecom service providers who cover atleast 80% of habitations with a population of 250.
It also suggested providing subsidy from Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) for bandwidth charges through satellite connectivity, and subsidy should also be given for installation of solar power units at telecom towers.
Trai recommended Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) to lease their dark fibre to other telecom service providers and also to reduce their bandwith leasing charges in the north eastern region.
In its suggestions, Trai said that the telecom operators in the north east region should enter into inter and intra circle roaming agreements (for 2G) amongst themselves within a period of six months for all the BTS (base transceiver station) along the national highways passing through the north eastern states. About one sixth (or 1,600 km) of the national highways in the region does not have any connectivity, Trai said.
While operators with existing licences and spectrum would be allowed to form inter and intra circle roaming agreements, it would be restricted to 2G, and new operators would have to get licences and spectrum in these circles before opting for roaming pacts.
Trai also said that the state governments should ensure availability of power supply to telecom towers in the region, and would have to offer government buildings and land for setting up towers in the region.
The state governments should also set up a single window clearance system for all telecom related clearances, no objection certificates like pollution, noise control, environment clearance, site acquisitions, commercial power supply, Trai stated.
