The Hindu : National : Spectrum issue to be discussed soon

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Thursday, Sep 25, 2008
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Spectrum issue to be discussed soon

Sandeep Joshi

NEW DELHI: Communications and Information Technology Minister A. Raja on Wednesday said the issue of Defence Ministry releasing extra spectrum for civilian use is being discussed at the top government level.

“The talks are being held with the Defence Ministry for release of spectrum. The National Security Advisor is on the job. Probably by next month, we are going to meet (on the issue),” Mr. Raja told reporters after inaugurating the 14th India Telecommunications International Summit 2008.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Raja expressed concern about the low levels of rural tele-density despite impressive growth of the telecom sector and low tariffs. Vast stretches of India’s rural population have little or no telecom penetration and there is a large rural-urban divide in connectivity.

“We have proposed to achieve rural tele-density of 25 per cent by means of 20-crore rural connections by the end of the 11th Plan. So far, around 8.8-crore have been provided in the rural areas with a tele-density of around 11 per cent. Efforts are also being made under Universal Service Obligation (USO) Fund to strengthen infrastructure for providing wireless phone services in rural and remote areas of the country,” he added.

By 2012, a total of 60-crore connections have been envisaged, which would require an investment for equipment worth $73 billion during next five years.

Majority of the investment is expected to be realized through foreign direct investment (FDI), particularly in the area of mobile communication.

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