60 gram panchayats covered under NOFN project so far, says USOF administration

The Universal Services Obligation (USO) Fund Administration has contended that till now, about 60 gram panchayats have been provided broadband connectivity under the National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) project. It is however expected that the NOFN project that aims to cover 250,000 panchayats is likely to be completed by September 2015. 

The administration has attributed slow pace of project implementation to poor response from private telecom players. It is of the view that the private entities are under financial stress and therefore have not been able to contribute to the project. 

Under the approved plan of NOFN project implementation, 100,000 lakh gram panchayats are to be covered in the first phase till March 31, 2014. Another 200,000 gram panchayats are to be provided with broadband connectivity by March 31, 2015 and the remaining areas will be covered by September 30, 2015. The project is being financed by USOF at an estimated cost of Rs 201 billion. Further, Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL) is the agency responsible for ensuring the rollout of the project, which is to be executed by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), RailTel and Power Grid.