TRAI considers private sector participation for broadband rollout in gram panchayats

NEW DELHI, INDIA: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has sought comments from stakeholders on the best model implementation of the national optical fibre network (NOFN), rechristened later as 'BharatNet'- which aims to connect all 2.5 lakh gram panchayats by 2016.

Since NOFN is not moving as per plans, TRAI has sought consultation on a best possible model of implementation to complete the project and deliver in time. The plan was to connect all the 2.5 lakh gram panchayats in the country utilizing existing fibres of PSUs (BSNL, Railtel and Power Grid) and laying incremental fibre to connect to Gram Panchayats wherever necessary.

The report of the committee on NOFN recommended three models earlier. “Some views regarding the implementation have been raised and therefore the authority looked into one more possible alternate model — Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) model,” said TRAI. Stakeholders can submit views by December 7.

In the BOOT model, private participants get the right to earn income from the facility for some time. TRAI also sought comments on allowing large scale participation by private entities in the BOOT model and the measures need to be taken to make broadband services affordable to the public at large.