Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has called for an end to VSNL/DoT monopoly in telecommunications and demanded level playing field for the private sector in this core area so that the benefits of information technology could reach the masses in the minimum time.
He said after much persuasion, Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd monopoly over data communication had been broken. "There is an urgent need to open up voice-on-the-Internet as well. China has done so and why not we", he said, and added, "I would even say that all Internet access should be made free."
Naidu, who was speaking after releasing a book, "P-Telcos in India: Why did India get them so wrong" by T Hanumanulu Chowdary, former chairman and managing director of Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltdsaid only through keen competition between the VSNL and the private sector, necessary infrastructure for telecommunications could be built up and the benefits of new technology taken to the remotest village.
" The government should not look at telecommunications as a revenue earning proposition. It should be utilised for the benefit of the large masses in the rural areas", he said.
In Andhra Pradesh, Naidu said, private sector was being encouraged in putting up the infrastructure. For example, Reliance and Zee TV have been allowed to lay optic fibre cables throughout the state and the state government has given them free right of way. "I want more private companies to come forward in such areas. We will extend all facilities", he said.
According to Naidu, Reliance has promised to cover the entire state with optic fibre network in one and a half years time. "In six months from now, 300 to 400 towns will be so linked", he said.
"I hope in the next six months we have Internet link in at least 200 towns against just 10 to 15 now", he said.
Chief Minister explained how there was a channel explosion after transponder unlinking from within the country was opened up.
"We now have 40 to 60 channels. Here also we have good competition between the Tata basic phones and DoT and also between Tata Cellular and JTM. I welcome them", he said.
Naidu was all praise for the Andhra Pradesh circle of the Department of Telecommunications and said the type of expansion they were pushing through was something not witnessed in other parts of India. He believed this was because of private sector competition.
He made a reference to the controversial Sankhya Vahini project and said this was promoted only with the intention of extending distance education.
There was no vested interest in the project and both Srunachallam and Ram Reddy were sincere to promote the cause of distance education by interlinking all major seats of education throughout the country, he said.
