Expanding Coverage: RoW initiatives to streamline the process for laying OFC

With India having the world’s second largest telecom subscriber base of approximately 1.2 billion, there is an increasing demand for high-bandwidth communication services. To facilitate this, it is of utmost importance to facilitate rapid 5G network coverage through the best approach, optical fibre cable (OFC).

India is one of the leading countries in the world in terms of 5G deployment. India has covered more than 750 districts with 5G within a year. Telcos have deployed more than 360,000 base transceiver stations since the launch of 5G services on October 1, 2022 (as of September 30, 2023). 5G subscriptions in India are likely to hit 350 million by 2026.

 

Some of the important factors influencing the industry are:

• 5G deployment: 5G’s increased bandwidth and low latency requirements necessitate the deployment of fibre optic networks to support the densification of small cells and high speed backhaul connections.
• Fibre-to-the-home (FTTH): There is a growing trend towards FTTH deployment, as consumers are demanding faster broadband speeds and reliable connectivity. Telecom operators are increasingly investing in FTTH networks to meet this demand.
• Data centre interconnect (DCI): DCI solutions based on optical fibre enable efficient data transfer between geographically dispersed data centres.
• Advancements in optical technologies: Technologies such as coherent optical transmission, wavelength division multiplexing and silicon photonics are enhancing the performance, capacity and efficiency of optical fibre networks.
• Network virtualisation: The adoption of software-defined networking and network functions virtualisation is transforming network architectures, driving the demand for flexible and scalable optical transport solutions.
• Regulatory environment: Government policies and regulations related to spectrum allocation, infrastructure deployment and consumer protection can significantly impact the OFC industry, influencing investment decisions, market competition and network deployment strategies.

Driving OFC growth

The factors driving the growth of OFC in India include the following:

• Expanding broadband access: Government initiatives and increasing consumer demand for high speed internet access are driving the expansion of optical fibre networks to underserved areas, supporting economic development, education, healthcare and digital inclusion.
• Cloud computing and big data: The growth of cloud services, big data analytics and internet of things (IoT) applications is fuelling demand for high capacity optical interconnect solutions to transport large volumes of data between data centres, enabling real-time processing, storage and analysis of data.
• Smart cities and IoT: The proliferation of IoT devices and smart city applications requires robust and scalable communication infrastructure, driving the adoption of optical fibre networks for reliable connectivity and data exchange in urban environments.
• Digital transformation: Enterprises across various industries are investing in digital transformation initiatives to enhance productivity, efficiency and competitiveness, driving demand for high speed, low latency optical communication solutions to support digital workflows, applications and services.
• Emerging applications: Emerging technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality and 8K video streaming are increasing bandwidth requirements and driving demand for higher speed optical communication systems capable of delivering immersive multimedia experiences and interactive content.

Key developments on the RoW front

The government has issued several notifications related to right of way (RoW), streamlining the process for laying OFC and deploying small cells.

• RoW policies have been periodically amended to address emerging challenges and facilitate the deployment of telecom infrastructure. These amendments often incorporate feedback from industry stakeholders and regulatory authorities to enhance the effectiveness of RoW regulations.
• The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has issued recommendations on the use of street furniture for small cell deployments. Leveraging existing infrastructure such as lamp posts and utility poles for small cell installations can expedite deployment and reduce costs.
• Efforts have been made to digitally map RoW corridors in order to streamline planning and coordination for telecom infrastructure projects. Digital mapping helps identify available space for laying OFC and deploying small cells, reducing the time and effort required for site surveys and approvals. As of September 2023, 84.61 per cent of the fibre network of government public sector undertakings has been mapped. The National Broadband Mission aims to take this to 100 per cent by March 2025.
• The government released its recommendations on the “Use of Street Furniture for Small Cells and Aerial Fibre deployment” on November 29, 2022, promoting the utilisation of street furniture for various purposes. The Department of Telecommunications has amended the Indian Telegraph RoW Rules, 2016 to include provisions for street/pole furniture.

Status of RoW implementation

• All states/union territories (UTs) have aligned their RoW policies with the RoW Rules, 2016 (dated November 16, 2016).
• 21 states/UTs have aligned their RoW Policies with the RoW Rules (Amendments), 2021 (dated October 21, 2021).
• 21 states/UTs have adopted the Model Building By Laws, 2016 (Amendments).
• The Ministry of Railways, the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways adopted the Indian Telegraph Right of Way Rules, 2016 (as amended in 2017, 2021, 2022 and 2023) on October 4, 2022; January 18, 2023 and April 17, 2023, respectively. The Ministry of Power’s (MoPs) Electricity (Promoting Renewable Energy Through Green Energy Open Access) (Second Amendment) Rules, 2023 (dated May 23, 2023), have been adopted or implemented by Andhra Pradesh (in draft form), Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh (draft), Gujarat, Jharkhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Ladakh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Telangana and Uttarakhand.
  The MoP’s Composite Billing Scheme (dated May 24, 2023) has been adopted or implemented by states/UTs such as Madhya Pradesh and discoms such as Jaipur Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited in Rajasthan.

Challenges in OFC deployment

• Cost pressures: The high initial investment required for deploying optical fibre infrastructure can be a barrier to entry for some markets or regions, especially rural areas with low population densities.
• Fibre installation challenges: Deploying optical fibre networks involves overcoming various challenges such as RoW issues, obtaining construction permits, and installation complexities, particularly in urban areas with dense infrastructure and limited space for new deployments.
• Competition from wireless technologies: While optical fibre offers high bandwidth and reliability, wireless technologies such as 5G pose a competitive threat, particularly in areas where deploying fibre is cost-prohibitive or logistically challenging.
• Technological obsolescence: Rapid advancements in optical communication technologies necessitate continuous innovation and investment for OFC networks to remain competitive and meet evolving customer demands for higher speeds, greater capacity and improved energy efficiency.
• Regulatory hurdles: Regulatory requirements and compliance standards pertaining to spectrum allocation, network neutrality and data privacy can impact the deployment and operation of optical communication networks, requiring careful navigation and adherence to local regulations.
• Implementation of RoW Rules, 2016: Some locations such as Ghaziabad and Noida are not abiding by the RoW policy of their state and are still following the old building byel-aws. The RoW policies of states/UTs need to be followed in letter and spirit.
• Deemed approval: As of now deemed approval has been implemented in the policies of 33 states/UTs, with pending status in Nagaland and Dadra & Nagar Haveli. But only 31 states/UTs have implemented a deemed approval clause in their RoW portals, with five states/UTs yet to implement the same.
• High restoration charges: These are being charged in states such as Rajasthan, and need to be rationalised.

Fibre cuts

OFC cuts refer to instances where the physical integrity of a fibre optic cable is compromised during excavation work, leading to disruptions and loss of communication signals. To address these, the government launched the innovative Call Before u Dig (CBuD) mobile app on March 22, 2023. CBuD facilitates coordination between excavation agencies and utility owners.

According to the government, there are around 1 million OFC cuts per year in the telecom sector, resulting in a loss of approximately Rs 30 billion every year. The CBuD application is a step towards protecting underground utility assets and preventing losses.

OFC cuts are an inherent risk in telecommunications infrastructure, but proactive measures such as CBuD and preparedness can help minimise their frequency and impact on communication services.

Conclusion

Developments on the RoW front aim to create an enabling environment for expanding OFC coverage and deploying small cells in India. By addressing regulatory issues, fostering collaboration and leveraging technology, stakeholders can enhance connectivity, improve broadband access and support the country’s digital growth.