 "Odisha considering policy to improve telecom infra")
"There is need for improving the tele-density in Oidsha which is less than the national average. Government is contemplating to come out with a policy towards this effect with enabling guidelines. Special focus will be given to Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected districts where the tele-density is below par and a major concern for both the state and the central government for providing connectivity, said an official.
The tele-density, the number of telephone connections for every hundred individuals living within an area, in Odisha is 68.53 as on July-end, which is lower than the all India average of 80.09.
"We are planning to hold consultation meeting with all the telecom operators having operations in the state in next 15-20 days", he added.
The provisions of the new policy will support erection of mobile towers, laying of underground and aerial optical fibre cables, and installation of inbuilt solutions, among others.
It may be noted that the state housing and urban development department already has a special regulation for installation of mobile towers on roof top and ground in the area under the jurisdiction of urban local bodies and designated urban bodies in the state.
"The new policy will remove hassles in last mile connectivity and there by fulfil the objective of Digital India," the official added.
The policies of other states like Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Assam and laying of Optical Fibre Cable by National Highways Authority of India will also be studied for inputs, the official said.
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The state department of electronics & information technology is planning to bring the telecom sector under its fold which is now handled by state commerce and transport department.
Odisha has about 2,86,58,260 wireless subscribers and 8,16,614 wired subscribers. All major telecom operators like BSNL, Airtel, Reliance, Tata, Idea, Aircel have significance presence in the state.