Broad Band Policy India, Phase 2

Broad Band Policy India, Phase 2 - Policy Recommendations

Prepared by the Policy Research India (Think Tank)

1.      Introduction

The National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) aims at providing broadband connectivity to over two lakh

(200,000)  Gram Panchayaths of India at a cost of Rs.20,000 crore ($4 billion) which intends to enable e-services and e-applications nationally by 2017. The Policy Research India  (PRI) proposes a government controlled private led initiative to achieve this objective. 

2.      Methodology

This policy recommendation paper prepared on the basis of  thorough literature review on an inter country broadband policy development and implementation process and an expert consultation process. 
  

3.      Recommendations

• Government controlled private led Public Private Partnership (PPP) model for the implementation of NOFN
• It aims at ensuring affordability and accessibility of broadband for every citizen

(A targeted subsidizing (directed towards the players involved) in the second phase must  be implemented,(via; amortization of license fee, Provision of period permitting a tax holiday, Rebate on subscription to shares/debentures, Scope for tax exemption on financing through venture capital, and Import duty rates to be reduced for various telecom equipment)

• A mixed approach with use of wireless and copper wires
• Allow private agencies to provide international internet gate ways both satellite and landing stations for submarine optical fiber cable
• Incentives for Infrastructure sharing have to be allowed providing end to end band width dark fiber, RoW, Towers etc.
• Spectrum sharing and Trading shall be allowed
• OFC, High Capacity Micro wave, satellite connectivity to be extended to remote and inaccessible areas 
• Government mediated services such as content in regional languages should be developed for promoting rural broadband 
• 
• Rural Broadband Service Providers (RBSP) at SME level to be encouraged
• Local Self Government (LSG) shall be responsible for the deployment in their territory
• Post offices shall act as the nodal centers to facilitating browsing and support other broadband applications such as video chat, video conferencing, telemedicine, and online learning.
• Public libraries as the network centre (Kiosks) shall be worked as the centre to avail broad band facilities. 
• Education Institutions shall work as the learning and training centre which will focus on capacity building exercises
• Funding model to be utilized to be able to create amenable conditions for subsidy
• As an extension of above recommendation, cleaning up of interconnection issues that may arise between the state incumbent and newly introduced private players

4.  

          



Discussion Points

·         Process of Rural Community Partipation

·         Modus operandi of stakeholder consultation

·         Incentives and subsidy Equations