TEMA has urged the Govt. to provide on priority telecom connectivity to Border & Sensitive areas of India by Make In India equipments only and immediately give directions to BSNL to cover all the unconnected areas in North East, Left Wing Effected areas, unconnected hilly, remote areas. The industry association has raised its concerns of no or limited telecom connectivity in many parts of these areas and other inaccessible parts of Country.
TEMA has pointed out that these areas are sensitive for National Security and need immediate attention. The Bharat Net project has investment plans of about Rs 40,000 Crores. It has suggested that BSNL should be allowed to use these since BSNL has successfully shown execution capabilities in LWE areas and had procured equipment from Domestic manufacturers.
Out of about 255,000 Gram Panchayats to be covered under Bharat Net, more than 110,000 are yet to be connected. About 2,500 Gram Panchayats are however to be connected via satellite telecommunications. They are the potential market for domestic manufacturers.
TEMA welcomes Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s call of 31st July, 2020: “Now that our digital connectivity ecosystem has scaled many peaks, it is now time to focus on self-reliance and security.”
TEMA applauds the statement of Secretary Telecom, Shri Anshu Prakash on 31st July 2020 that “Concerted efforts are a must to achieve the goals and objectives of this (National Digital Communications) policy, provision of broadband for all.”
Shri Ravi Sharma, Chairman TEMA said “It’s important that all unconnected areas in North East, Naxalite areas and border & hilly areas should immediately be connected with telecom networks. Keeping in mind the Security concerns, it is high time that BSNL is asked to provide telecom connectivity to these areas on an urgent basis using Make in India equipment only. Domestic Indian telecom manufacturers are fully geared to supply equipment for these networks.”
Shri Sandeep Aggarwal, Vice Chairman TEMA said “Indian manufacturing sector is looking forward in supporting BSNL and Bharat Net in providing connectivity to unconnected areas. The immediate action of making this network by Make In India will strengthen the domestic manufacturing sector by revenue of about Rs 20,000 Crores. We urge Govt. to take an immediate decision”.