The National Broadband Mission was launched on 17 December 2019 to fast track growth of digital communications infrastructure, bridge the digital divide and provide affordable and universal access of broadband for all. The objective of the scheme is to provide broadband access to all villages by 2022. The ambitious project will involve laying down around 30 Lakhs kilometre route Optical Fiber Cable, increase tower density from 0.42 to 1.0 tower per thousand of population by 2024 and significantly improve quality of services for mobile and internet. The mission envisages Rs 7 lakh crore investment in next 3 to 4 years.
Vision of the National Broadband Mission
To enable fast track growth of digital communications infrastructure, bridge the digital divide for digital empowerment and inclusion, provide affordable and universal access of broadband for all.
Objectives of the National Broadband Mission
To achieve the vision of National Broadband Mission in the next five years, the main objectives are:
- To facilitate universal and equitable access to broadband services for growth and development throughout the country and especially in rural and remote areas
- To address policy and regulatory changes required to accelerate the expansion and creation of digital infrastructure and services
- Creation of a digital fiber map of the Digital Communications network and infrastructure, including Optical Fiber Cables and Towers, across the country
- Work with all stakeholders including the concerned Ministries/ Departments/ Agencies, and Ministry of Finance, for enabling investments for the Mission
- Work with the Department of Space, to make available adequate resources required for extending connectivity to far flung areas of country through satellite media
- To encourage and promote adoption of innovative technologies for proliferation of broadband especially by the domestic industry
- Seek cooperation from concerned stakeholders by developing innovative implementation models for Right of Way (RoW).
- To work with States/UTs for having consistent policies pertaining to expansion of digital infrastructure including for RoW approvals required for laying of OFC
- To develop a Broadband Readiness Index (BRI) to measure the availability of digital communications infrastructure and conducive policy ecosystem within a State/UT.
- Promote direct and indirect employment as a result of development of Digital Communications infrastructure across the country and through the digital economy.
Outcomes and Deliverables of the Mission are-
- All villages to have access to broadband by 2022
- Availability of high broadband speeds: To provide infrastructure capable of delivering higher speeds of broadband upto 50 Mbps in a phased manner at par with those of emerging and developed countries and with availability across the country, wherever necessary.
- Accelerate Fiberization: To increase the present route length of 22 lakh kilometer the Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) to 50 lakh kilometer.
- To enhance connectivity and improve Quality of Service by increasing tower density
- Facilitate rollout of 5G network and strengthening of 4G network.
We hope you liked this article. Here are some useful government schemes for you to read next:
Download this article as PDF
Click to go to RBI Grade B Preparation Page | Click to read more government schemes