Bhubaneswar: The Centre has decided to upgrade 2G mobile services to 4G at security sites in the areas affected by Left wing extremism (LWE) including Odisha.
Speaking to media persons on Wednesday, Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting and Youth Affairs & Sports said Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) was approved by Union Cabinet at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the project.
The project envisages upgrading 2,343 LWE Phase-I sites from 2G to 4G mobile services in 10 states at an estimated cost of Rs 1,884.59 crore. It includes 483 mobile sites in LWE areas of Odisha. The project will use 4G core network, radio network and telecom equipment produced under Atma Nirbhar Bharat, Thakur said.
The project entails operations and maintenance (O&M) for five years. However, BSNL will maintain the sites for another five years at its own cost. The work will be awarded to BSNL because these sites belong to BSNL.
The Cabinet also approved funding of operations and maintenance cost of LWE Phase-I 2G sites by BSNL for an extended period beyond the contractual period of five years at an estimated cost of Rs 541.80 crore. The extension will be up to 12 months.
The minister said the upgradation will enable better internet and data services in these LSW areas and meet the requirements of Ministry of Home Affairs and the state governments. It will also fulfil the communication needs of the security personnel deployed in these areas, he added.
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