India's broadband project29 Nov 2013 09:53
India is going to need a lot of fiber optic cable. BIOM MAKES fiber optic furnaces. HerE'S WHY.
In late 2010, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) proposed the National Broadband Plan (NBP), an ambitious project that aims to use Rs 600 billion of investment to bring high-speed connectivity to PCs in 160 million households. The plan outlines setting up of State Optic Fibre Agencies (SOFA) in each state and another National Optic Fibre Agency (NOFA).
Under the NBP, the Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL), a special purpose vehicle, was set up by the government. The objective of BBNL is to manage and operate the National Optic Fibre Network (NOFN). The NOFN will eventually provide connectivity to 250,000 Gram Panchayats. If realised, it has the potential to transform many aspects of India, including areas such as education, business, entertainment, environment, health households and e-governance services. Initiated under the National Telecom Policy (NTP) 2012, BBNL hopes to deliver affordable and reliable broadband on demand by 2015. The organisation has set a target of 175 million connections by 2017. By 2020, BBNL hopes to have 600 million subscribers with a minimum 2Mbps speed, up to 100Mbps on demand.