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More spectrum for broadband providers

NEW DELHI: Satisfied with the rate of growth in the mobile telephony sector, the Central Government has now decided to focus on growth of broadband wireless access services. Fearing a slowdown in the proliferation of broadband connections, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will soon be releasing additional spectrum to broadband service providers.

“We have recently released a new set of guidelines for promotion of broadband wireless access services (also known as WiMAX — Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access). We have decided to release additional spectrum for growth of broadband services. This will give much needed boost to broadband services, especially in towns and rural areas,” Union Communications Minister A. Raja told The Hindu.

According to a government estimate, under present circumstances where the growth of broadband services has been slow it would be an arduous task to meet the target of having two-crore broadband connections by 2010. At present, there are around 30-lakh broadband subscribers. “The Government is concerned over the current slow progress and has decided to allocate more spectrum for greater proliferation of broadband connections. The release of additional spectrum is a timely step that will help in bridging the gap between actual number of connections and the target set by us,” he said.

The Minister said BSNL would play a major role in ensuring speedy growth of broadband connections, particularly in small towns and villages. “BNSL has already agreed to give additional 30-lakh new broadband connections within the next six months. A majority of these will go to those operating in rural areas,” Mr. Raja added.

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