We know you’ve been complaining about getting slow internet broadband speed and now the Prime Minister’s Office is looking into it and has asked DoT (Department of Telecommunications) to explain the reason behind this. It’s not like there are no funds to support better broadband infrastructure; USOF (Universal Services Obligation Fund) has almost Rs 33,000 crores lying around unused.
This humungous amount’s a growing pile of cash which is collected as a 5% annual levy on the adjusted gross revenue of private telecom companies. Part of these funds goes towards backing NOFN (National Optic Fiber Network) and the government intends to restructure USOF with the aim of turning India into an information superpower by connecting the whole nation to speedy data networks.
The PMO has given DoT four weeks to come up with an answer as to why the country is stuck with slow broadband speed. It has also asked the body to co-ordinate with the department of information and technology to ensure that all universities in India have access to the internet. The directive in question has arrived a fortnight after the department made a presentation to the PMO on June 26.
Also read: TRAI increases benchmark for minimum broadband speed in India from 256kbps to 512kbps
DoT has been ordered to build more broadband highways across India in addition to putting some serious steam behind the construction of NOFN. If you remember, about one week ago, TRAI had changed the definition of broadband so that internet providers are required to deliver at least 512Kbps of minimum speed, up from 256Kbps, in order to be able to claim the capability of offering broadband.
The Economic Times says not everyone feels it’s good enough, with experts noting that a broadband speed of at least 1Mbps would be more at par with the global definition.