The Union Government has asked the State Government to lay aerial Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) on electrical poles in rural areas so that internet connections can be provided to gram panchayats at a lower cost under the Digital India scheme.
In a letter, Union Telecommunications Secretary JS Deepak has asked all the States, including Odisha, to follow the procedure adopted in Andhra Pradesh in laying aerial OFC on electric poles. Andhra Pradesh has spread about 10,000 km aerial OFC in just three months’ time.
A target has been set to provide broadband connectivity to all GPs by December 2018 under the Digital India scheme, he mentioned in the letter. The Bharat Broadband Network limited (BBNl) is implementing this programme through three Central organisations, PSBs-BSNl, Power Grid and RailTel.
The scheme has been planned to be implemented in three phases. While Phase I is already underway, laying of OFC would be done in the second phase
It is estimated that while laying of underground cables for 10,000 km would cost `4,000 crore, overhead cables, if spread for the same length, would cost `330 crore only.
While Odisha has a robust power infrastructure in the GP level, spread of OFC would cost less. Hence it should follow the mapping method adopted by the AP and lay OFC on all electrical poles lines from block to GP level, the Secretary stated to have explained this in the letter.
Power Distribution Companies (discoms) will be involved in spreading the cables in the State. The State has four discoms, Cesu, Nesco, Wesco, and Southco.
Digital mapping of the power lines would be a useful tool for other applications, including installation of Smart Meters, in future, Mension Deepak in the letter.