Port Blair, Dec 18: Mr. Y Satya Kumar, National Secretary, Bharatiya Janata Party and Incharge of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Co-Incharge of Uttar Pradesh recently met Mr. Ravi Shankar Prasad, the Union Minister for Telecommunication and submitted some key points with regards to the Chennai-Andaman and Nicobar Islands Submarine Optical FIber Cable.
Mr. Y Satya Kumar was on his maiden visit to Andaman and Nicobar Islands recently after being appointed the Incharge of Bharatiya Janata Party, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
In his representation to Mr. Ravi Shankar Prasad the following points were raised by Mr. Y Satya Kumar , which are important for proper implementation of the Chennai-Andaman and Nicobar Islands Optical Fiber Cable Project:
1. Rental price charged by DoT from Telecom Service Providers for utilizing the CANI-SMC is astronomically high – nearly 3 times the expected cost. Because of this, TSPs are not able to make use of the CANI-SMC to the full extent. The pricing needs to be brought down substantially.
2. Presently the CANI-SMC is a linear link from A&N to Chennai. If it gets cut due to any reason, entire Andaman & Nicobar will lose their internet access. It can/should be easily converted into a ring, by extending it to the mainland from any suitable node.
From Rangat, via Mayabunder & Diglipur, to Vizag or Kakinada, or even from Car Nicobar to Tuticorin or Pondicherry. {This is the ring design adopted in the recently approved Lakshadweep Submarine Cable}
3. Moreover, Shaheed Dweep island, which is of great tourist as well as agricultural importance, needs to be brought into the CANI-SMC network, by laying a branch submarine cable from Port Blair.
4. The mobile network of BSNL needs a complete upgrade, so that the citizens of A&N get the full benefit of the CANI-SMC. This needs substantial support to A&N circle, In terms of funds, manpower and equipment, from New Delhi, for system upgrade, as well as, operations & maintenance.
5. 4G spectrum needs to be allotted to BSNL in A&N territory as a special case, so that full-fledged 4G service can be launched ASAP by BSNL, for the benefit of A&N residents, to help them in attending online classes, ITES, etc.
6) Tariff of data plans for internet is Fixed line is very High as compared to any other telecom circle.
7) The speed of Mobile data has no improvement.
8) Majority of the Towers doesn’t have power backup
9) Many towers are not working properly due to non availability of spares.
10) Barat fiber(FTTH) is not available in majority of the rural areas
He further mentioned to the Union Minister for Telecommunications that the following points are important to be implemented for proper functioning of the Chennai-Andaman and Nicobar Islands Optical Fiber Cable Project for which the Govt. of India has spent more than 1200 crores.
He further added that the residents of Andaman and Nicobar Islands have Already suffered a lot for several years while waiting for good internet connectivity. He also mentioned that the residents of Andaman and Nicobar Islands have wholeheartedly thanked the Union Minister of Telecommunications and the Prime Minister for the CANI Project but the promise made to the people of Andaman and Nicobar Islands on 10 of August during the launch of CANI SMC has not been fulfilled properly.
Mr. Ajoy Bairagi, State President, Bharatiya Janata Party, Andaman and Nicobar Islands have expressed gratitude towards Mr. Y Satya Kumar , National Secretary, Bharatiya Janata Party and Incharge of Andaman and Nicobar Islands for raising the issues in proper implementation of Chennai-Andaman and Nicobar Islands Optical Fiber Cable Project.
