BharatNet Project should have PPP model: TRAI
Q. Terming connectivity as the most vital aspect of Digital India, telecom regulator TRAI indicated that a PPP project would be best for which project?- Published on 19 Aug 16a. Make in India
b. Stand Up India
c. Startup India
d. BharatNet
ANSWER: BharatNet
TRAI has indicated a public private partnership model for the ambitious BharatNet project, saying the arrangement will ensure maintenance and marketing of mega infrastructure.
- TRAI Chairman RS Sharma made this announcement during a NASSCOM meet.
- Government has proposed providing broadband connectivity to 2,50,000 village panchayats under the project.
- PPP model would overcome difficulties in maintenance, marketing and usage of infrastructure for this project.
- Without the PPP model over 1000000 panchayats only will be covered; wireless alone cannot solve the problem of data connectivity in India.
- With respect to public Wi-Fi hotspots, TRAI has suggested Common Service Centres could be used as common hotspots for Wi-Fi connectivity.
- BharatNet seeks to connect Indian households, particularly in the rural areas through broadband by 2017 forming the base of the Digital India programme.
- At present BBNL or Bharat Broadband Network Ltd is handling the NOFN project executed by BSNL, Railtel and Power Grid.
- PPP model that aligns private incentives with long term service delivery n a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer model of implementation should be the preferred means of implementation.
- Concessionaire should be handed the task of deployment of NOFN and network infrastructure, according to the telecom regulator.
