LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh cabinet on Tuesday approved the implementation of the National Optical Fibre Network Scheme across the state. Once implemented, the scheme would for the first time allow broadband penetration to gram panchayat levels across UP. Telecom facilities like mobile, internet and cable TV services would also be made available in all GPs. Through this network, the panchayats, schools and primary health centres in the rural areas would be connected via internet. Other than the rural areas, even schools in urban areas, corporate, public and different departments would be availing benefits of facilities like e-education, e-commerce, e-health, e-entertainment and e-governance.
The decision follows an older order issued by the Union telecom ministry, which in October 2011 decided to implement schemes relating to the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), including the National Optical Fibre Network. Under the scheme, the Union cabinet approved an investment of Rs 20,000 crore in the National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) scheme, with an objective to extend the existing optical fibre network (available presently upto the district or block headquarter level) to the gram panchayat level. The move follows a World Bank study, which suggested that with every 10% increase in broadband penetration, there could be a coordinated growth in GDP by 1.4%. Read more
Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com
