Security forces to get connectivityboost in LWE areas in Bihar by Sept
PATNA, July 18 -- Security forces in left wing extremist (LWE) areas of Bihar will get a communication boost, as the state-run BSNL will upgrade its services from 2G to 4G by September to enhance connectivity and provide better internet services in these regions, said telecom officials on Wednesday.
BSNL is upgrading its mobile infrastructure by replacing all 2G BTSs with 4G in remote locations of Jamui (59 BTSs), Banka (46), Aurangabad (40), Gaya (37), Nawada (29), Arwal (16), Rohtas (12), Jehanabad (7) and Kaimur (4), besides doubling the capacity of its solar power batteries as an alternate source of power to electricity for these BTSs.
"We are also increasing the capacity of our existing solar photovoltaic cells from 5kW to 10kW as an alternate source of power for the 4G BTSs at these locations since these BTSs consume more power than 2G," said Rupendra Pathak, BSNL's outgoing deputy general manager, network planning, consumer mobility who joined his new assignment as head of operational area, Chapra, on Wednesday.
"As on date, we have completed replacing 30 of the 250 2G BTSs, identified under the Digital Bharat Nidhi project for the LWE districts of the state. We hope to complete replacing the remaining 220 BTSs by September, when the project is scheduled to complete," Pathak added.
The remote areas where BSNL is upgrading its mobile infrastructure are believed to be commercially non-viable locations, largely untouched by private telecom service providers. There are around 30 CRPF camps in these areas, which will directly benefit from the project, besides the villagers residing in them. Private players have proliferated to other locations with 5G services, where BSNL still has a few 2G BTSs, in addition to 3G mobile towers.
The project will facilitate delivery of various e-governance services, banking services, tele-medicine; tele-education, etc. through mobile data services, presently non-existent in these areas.
The Union cabinet approved a universal service obligation fund (USOF) project on April 27, 2022 for upgrading 2G mobile services to 4G at security sites in LWE areas.
The pan-India project envisages upgrading 2,343 LWE phase-I sites from 2G to 4G mobile services, including 250 LWE sites in Bihar, at an estimated cost of Rs.1,884.59 crore.
This includes operation and maintenance for five years. However, BSNL will maintain the sites for another five years at its own cost, ensuring uninterrupted services in remote areas....
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