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--- country-profiles:india [2021/08/31 06:47] – [Spectrum Fees / Costs] Policy_Raj
+++ country-profiles:india [2021/08/31 07:54] – [Backhaul] Policy_Raj
@@ Line 297: / Line 297: @@
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-===== Backhaul =====
+=====Backhaul=====
+‘Bharat Net’ project, earlier known as National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN), is a flagship project of Government of India which aims to connect 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats  of India through optical fibre network. Viewed as the first pillar of ‘Digital India’ Programme (( [[https://dot.gov.in/telecom-glance | DoT, Telecom at a Glance ]] )) BharatNet project aims to provide connectivity for ‘middle-mile’ : laying of incremental fibre from Block HQs to Gram Panchayats to fill the connectivity gap.
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+The Bharat Net fibre can be utilized by service providers in two ways: (( Reproduced from http://www.bbnl.nic.in/index1.aspx?lsid=725&lev=2&lid=577&langid=1 ))
+  - **Bandwidth Utilization**: Any service provider/ government agency that intends to provide its services at Gram Panchayat level may connect to BharatNet at block optical line termination (OLT) location from where its traffic is carried to Gram Panchayat (GP) level on BharatNet. At the GP, the service provider has to extend its services to the end-customers using its own last mile.
+  - ** Dark Fibre Utilization **: Service providers may also utilize the dark fiber on the new cable laid by BBNL between block and GPs, called incremental cable, for extending its services to GPs. The dark fiber is available from Fiber Point of Interconnect (with the existing fiber) to the GPs.
+</callout>
+<callout type="tip" icon="true"> **Important Resources for Service Providers who plan to utilize NOFN/ BharatNet**
+  * The tariff for Bharat Net bandwidth and dark fibre can be found [[http://bbnl.nic.in/index1.aspx?lsid=673&lev=2&lid=538&langid=1 | here]].
+  * The detailed procedure for Bharat Net connectivity can be found [[http://bbnl.nic.in/index1.aspx?lsid=718&lev=2&lid=572&langid=1| here]]: Requirements,   * [[http://www.bbnl.nic.in//admnis/admin/showimg.aspx?ID=1411| Application Form for Bandwidth on Bharat Net ]], [[http://www.bbnl.nic.in//admnis/admin/showimg.aspx?ID=1009 | Application form for taking on Lease Dark Fibre on Incremental Cable of Bharatnet]], Payment Procedure, etc.
+  * [[ http://www.bbnl.nic.in/showurl.aspx?lsid=722&lev=2&lid=576&langid=1 | Block-wise Line Diagram for Bharat Net and BBNL Dark Fibre]], [[ http://bbnl.nic.in/index1.aspx?lsid=652&lev=2&lid=526&langid=1 | Lat-Long of GPs, FPOIs and OLTs for GPs under BharatNet Phase-I ]]
+</callout>
+The Government of India, from time to time, has come up with various policies and regulations to strengthen and improve access to backhaul.
+NDCP 2018 emphasizes on enhancing the backhaul capacity to support the development of next generation networks like 5G. (( See (d)(ii) in Section 2.2 , p.20 of 24 [[https://dot.gov.in/sites/default/files/Final%20NDCP-2018.pdf?download=1 | NDCP 2018 ]] )) Specifically, NDCP 2018 mentions promotion of effective utilisation of high capacity backhaul E-band 71-76/ 81-86 GHz) and V-band (57-64 MHz) spectrum, and rationalization of annual royalty charges for microwave links for backhaul connectivity  as some of the strategies to improve backhaul connectivity. ((See (d)(iii), Section 1.2 , p.17 of 24 [[https://dot.gov.in/sites/default/files/Final%20NDCP-2018.pdf?download=1 | NDCP 2018 ]] ((Section 1.2 (d)(iv) , p.17 of 24 [[https://dot.gov.in/sites/default/files/Final%20NDCP-2018.pdf?download=1 | NDCP 2018 ]] )) With the aim to establish a National Digital Grid, NDCP 2018 mentions facilitating development of Open Access Next Generation Network as a sub-strategy. ((Section 1.1 (c)(iv) , p.16 of 24 [[https://dot.gov.in/sites/default/files/Final%20NDCP-2018.pdf?download=1 | NDCP 2018 ]] )
+In order to facilitate sharing of telecom infrastructure, DoT issued a notification in February 2016 which permits sharing of active infrastructure amongst service providers based on mutual agreements. (( [[https://dot.gov.in/sites/default/files/Telecom%20at%20a%20Glance-2019.pdf?download=1 | DoT, Telecom at a Glance ]] )) In the said notification, active sharing was limited to antenna, feeder cable, Node B, Radio Access network (RAN) and transmission systems. ((Section 33.2, Amended vide DOT’s letter no 20-443/2014-AS-I Pt dated 11.02.2016 [[https://dot.gov.in/sites/default/files/2016_03_30%20UL-AS-I.pdf?download=1| UL version dated 29.03.2016 ]] )) However, DoT through a notification dated 06.04.2021 widened the scope of active infrastructure sharing further to give a boost to Public Wi-Fi services and drive broadband penetration (( https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/telecom-news/dot-widens-scope-of-active-infra-sharing-to-boost-broadband-penetration/articleshow/81935288.cms?from=mdr )) : //Sharing of infrastructure related to Wi-Fi equipment such as Wi-Fi router, Access point etc. allowed. Sharing of backhaul also permitted.// (( [[ https://dot.gov.in/sites/default/files/Infrastructure%20sharing-UL-06042021.pdf?download=1 | Amendment in Unified License relating to infrastructure sharing and Public Wi-Fi services ]] ))
+With regard to internet exchange points (IXPs), the following table provides the list of IXPs operating in India.
+** Table: Internet Exchange Points in India** (( Adapted from https://innog.net/resources/ixps/))
+^Name of IXP^Website^Locations^
+|NIXI| http://nixi.in	|Noida, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Guwahati|
+|Mumbai IX|	https://www.mumbai-ix.net 	|Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata|
+|Extreme IX	|https://extreme-ix.org 	|Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata|
+|AMS-IX India|	https://www.ams-ix.net /in	|Mumbai|
+|IIFON	|http://iifon.org 	|Kolkata|
+|BharatIX	|https://www.bharatix.net |	Mumbai|
+Of the IXPs listed above,  National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) was set up by the government. It  was set up in 2003 //for peering of ISPs among themselves for the purpose of routing the domestic traffic within the country, instead of taking it all the way to US/Abroad, thereby resulting in better quality of service (reduced latency) and reduced bandwidth charges for ISPs by saving on International Bandwidth.// ((Reproduced from https://www.nixi.in/en/about-us ))
 ===== Gender =====
-===== Universal Service =====
+=====Universal Service=====
+The [[ https://dot.gov.in/national-telecom-policy-1994 | New Telecom Policy (NTP) 1994 ]] , the first telecom policy statement of India, mentioned universal availability of basic telecom services to all villages as one of its objectives. (( Section 2, [[ https://dot.gov.in/national-telecom-policy-1994 | NTP, 1994]] )) However, a more concrete and clearer framework for Universal Service was seen in the [[ https://dot.gov.in/new-telecom-policy-1999 | New Telecommunication Policy (NTP), 1999]] : NTP 1999 had a section dedicated to the Universal Service Obligations (USO) . (( See Section 6.0, [[https://dot.gov.in/new-telecom-policy-1999 | NTP, 1999]] ))
+<callout type="default" icon="true">
+NTP 1999 explicitly mentioned Universal Service as an important objective:  //...Strive to provide a balance between the provision of universal service to all uncovered areas, including the rural areas, and the provision of high-level services capable of meeting the needs of the country's economy; Encourage development of telecommunication facilities in remote, hilly and tribal areas of the country // ((Reproduced from Section 2.0, [[ https://dot.gov.in/new-telecom-policy-1999 | NTP, 1999]] ))
+</callout>
+NTP 1999 provided that a ‘Universal Access Levy (UAL)’ be raised from all operators under various licences to meet the resource requirement for Universal Service Obligation (USO). ((Section 6.0,  [[ https://dot.gov.in/new-telecom-policy-1999 | NTP, 1999]] )). This levy is calculated as a percentage of the revenue earned by the operators, and this percentage is decided by the Government in consultation with TRAI. ((Section 6.0,  [[ https://dot.gov.in/new-telecom-policy-1999 | NTP, 1999]] )) At present, USO Levy is 5 percent of the AGR. ((Source: Section 18.2, [[https://dot.gov.in/sites/default/files/Unified%20Licence_0.pdf | License Agreement for Unified License]] ))
+To further the objective enshrined in NTP 1999, DoT issued the guidelines for ‘Universal Service Support Policy’ in 2002 ((http://usof.gov.in/usof-cms/usof-history.jsp )), and a Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) was constituted. USOF was accorded statutory status through The Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Act 2003, and subsequently the rules for administration of USOF  known as Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2004 were notified on 26.03.2004. ((https://dot.gov.in/universal-service-obligation-fund-usof ))
+<callout type="default" icon="true">
+ Definition of Universal Service Obligations as per Indian Telegraph Act: //“Universal Service Obligation” means the obligation to provide access to telegraph services to people in the rural and remote areas at affordable and reasonable prices.//
+ </callout>
+NTP 2012 laid the foundation for National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN), which is considered to be the most prominent service supported by USO. NTP 2012 provided that the optical fibre network will be laid up to the Village Panchayat by funding from the USOF. ((para 1.3 in Section IV , p.8 of 20, [[ http://www.dot.gov.in/sites/default/files/NTP-06.06.2012-final.pdf | NTP 2012 ]] )) Accordingly, Indian Telegraph Rules 1951 was amended to insert a section on NOFN. (( [[ http://usof.gov.in/usof-cms/miscellaneous/Indian%20Telegraph%20Rules%202012.PDF | Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2012 ]] ))
+NOFN is one example of a service supported by USOF. As per Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules 2004 (amended further in 2006 and 2008) , USOF supports a range of services segregated in six different streams.
+**Table: Services Supported by USOF** ((Adapted from http://usof.gov.in/usof-cms/usof-stream.jsp ))
+^ Stream of Service^ Sub-Streams/ Explanations^ Key Projects under each stream and Link to the Project^
+|Stream-I: Provision of Public Access Service| (a) Operation and Maintenance of Village Public Telephones (VPT) in the revenue villages identified as per Census 1991 and Installation of VPTs in the additional revenue villages as per Census 2001; (b) Provision of Rural Community Phones (RCPs) after achieving the target of one VPT in every revenue village where in a village the population is more than 2000 and no public call office (PCO) exists, a second public phone shall be installed;  (c) Replacement of Multi Access Radio Relay Technology (MARR) VPTs installed before the 1st day of April 2002| [[http://usof.gov.in/usof-cms/o-m-vpt.jsp| O&M of VPTs]], [[http://usof.gov.in/usof-cms/vpt-pahes-I.jsp | New VPTs Phase 1]], [[ http://usof.gov.in/usof-cms/vpt-pahes-II.jsp | New VPTs Phase 2]]; [[http://usof.gov.in/usof-cms/RCP.jsp | Rural Community Phones (RCPs) ]] |
+|Stream-II: Provision of Household Telephones in Rural and Remote Areas as may be Determined by the Central Government from Time to Time| (a) For rural household Direct Exchange Lines (RDELs) installed prior to 1st day of April, 2002, support towards the difference in rental actually charged from rural subscribers and rent prescribed by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) for such subscribers shall be reimbursed until such time the ADC prescribed by TRAI from time to time takes into account this difference. Also following the phasing out of the ADC Regime, support for a limited duration of three years for rural wire line RDELs installed prior to 01.04.02;  (b) Support for RDELs installed after the 1st day of April, 2002 | [[http://usof.gov.in/usof-cms/RDEL_P.jsp | RDELs prior to 1.04.02 ]]; [[http://usof.gov.in/usof-cms/RDEL_B.jsp | RDELs 1.04.03 to 31.03.05]]; [[http://usof.gov.in/usof-cms/RDEL_A_X.jsp | RDELs w.e.f. 31.03.05]] |
+|Stream-III: Creation of Infrastructure for provision of Mobile Services in Rural and Remote Areas. | The assets constituting the infrastructure for provision of mobile services shall be determined by the Central Government from time to time.| [[http://usof.gov.in/usof-cms/Mobile_Infrasrure_Scheme.jsp | Mobile Infrastructure Phase 1 ]]; [[http://usof.gov.in/usof-cms/LWE.jsp | Left Wing Extremism (LWE) Areas]] ; [[http://usof.gov.in/usof-cms/amarnath.jsp | AmarNath]] |
+|Stream-IV: Provision of Broadband Connectivity to rural & remote areas in a phased manner.|-|[[http://usof.gov.in/usof-cms/usof-wireline-broadband.jsp | Wireline Broadband ]]|
+|Stream-V: Creation of General Infrastructure in Rural and Remote Areas for Development of Telecommunication facilities.| The items of general infrastructure to be taken up for development shall be determined by the Central Government from time to time.|[[http://usof.gov.in/usof-cms/OFC_Assam.jsp | CSC Wi-Fi Choupal ]]; [[http://usof.gov.in/usof-cms/OFC_Assam.jsp | OFC for Assam ]]; [[http://usof.gov.in/usof-cms/OFC_NE_I.jsp | OFC for NE I ]]; [[http://usof.gov.in/usof-cms/OFC_NE_II.jsp | OFC for NE II ]]; [[http://usof.gov.in/usof-cms/NOFN.jsp | National Optical Fibre Network with BBNL]]|
+|Stream-VI: Induction of new technological developments in the telecom sector in Rural and Remote Areas| Pilot projects to establish new technological developments in the telecom sector, which can be deployed in the Rural and Remote Areas, may be supported with the approval of the Central Government.| [[http://usof.gov.in/usof-cms/SMCF.jsp | Solar Mobile Charging Facility (SMCF) ]]; [[http://usof.gov.in/usof-cms/usof-sanchar-shakti.jsp | Sanchar Shakti ]]
+<callout type="danger" icon="true">
+About 49 per cent of the USOF still remains unused. Based on the latest figures (As on 31.07.2021) total accretion is Rs. 119121.34 cr, total disbursement is Rs. 60840.80 cr. ,  Potentially available fund Rs. 58280.54 cr. ((Source: http://usof.gov.in/usof-cms/usof-fund-status-table.jsp ))
+</callout>
 ===== Cooperatives =====