Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Oct 12: The stage is set for the establishment of National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) in Jammu and Kashmir in order to transform all the Panchayats by way of extending broad-band connectivity to these grass root level democratic institutions. Under this plan, around 4000 kilometers long optical fibre will be laid across the State in order to reduce the connectivity gap between the block headquarters and Panchayats.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that preparations for establishment of National Optical Fibre Network in the State have been made and within next one or two months Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited will start work on the ground for laying of optical fibre network on behalf of Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL)— a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) set up by the Union Government for establishment, management and operation of NOFN.
Disclosing that BSNL has carried out survey for the start of work on this ambitious plan, which will go a long way in transforming the Panchayats, sources said, “under the plan optical fibre network connectivity will be extended beyond block headquarters to the Panchayats across the State”. “Even those blocks which at present don’t have connectivity with the District Headquarters would also be covered under the plan”, sources added.
In response to a question, sources said that to reduce the connectivity gap between the block headquarters and Panchayats a target of laying around 4000 kilometer optical fibre by December 2015 has been fixed for the BSNL. However, 1100 kilometer optical fibre will be laid by March 2014.
“At present OFC (Optical Fibre Cable) connectivity is available in all the district headquarters and 90% block headquarters and under NOFN connectivity is being provided to the Panchayats by utilizing existing fibres of BSNL and laying incremental fibre up to Panchayats”, sources said, adding “after implementation non-discriminatory access to the NOFN will be provided to all the service providers. These service providers will use NOFN network for launch of various services in rural areas”.
Replying to another question, sources said, “various categories of applications like e-health, e-education and e-governance etc. can be provided by these service providers. The NOFN has the potential to transform many aspects of rural people’s lives including video, data, internet, telephone services in areas such as education, business, entertainment, environment and health households”.
About the broadband, which is a tool for improving the life of people by providing affordable and equitable access to information and knowledge, sources said, “under the NOFN the Panchayats will get broadband speed of up to 100 Mbps”, adding “the broadband connectivity will help the Panchayats in maintaining village records, updating of citizen databases. It will also help in intra-village, intra-district sharing of practices and resources communication with block and district”.
The NOFN will also play a significant role in knowledge dissemination through the Panchayats, delivery of citizen services and developmental planning.
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