Government announces telecom connectivity upgradation in Naxal areas

Cabinet under leadership of Honourable Prime Minister Narender Modi Ji approved the continuation of O&M for LWE Phase I mobile services. With the aim of achieving PM’s mission of Digital India, the cabinet further approved the upgradation of all LWE Phase I sites from 2G to 4G technology.

VNL welcomes the government’s decision and is fully geared up to take up 4G upgradation challenge with its advanced ready to use products and solutions. We are delighted to know that the project will be carried out under Atmanirbhar mission of the Government of India. We also thank MOC Ashwini Vaishnaw for spearheading this decision to give a necessary boost to the domestic Industry.

The LWE Phase I project was completed well within the timeline by BSNL partnering domestic vendors and is the largest Global network running solely on Solar Power systems giving 98% uptime as per government requirements.

The project was part of the Pragati Program of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Ministry was keen for execution of the same in the Left-Wing Extremist areas to tackle the issues related to Naxalites. The project roll out was executed in extremely challenging and dangerous terrain of 10 states namely Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. The LWE Phase I project completed in record time and was well lauded by various dignitaries including, NSA Sh. Ajit Doval.

Rajiv Mehrotra, Chairman Vihaan Networks Limited (VNL) said; “We are proud to be associated to this national cause and this infrastructure development takes top priority over and above anything else. Keeping in mind the paucity of the resources and accessibility issues, the towers were activated through the deployment of solar technology and the size of the project is the biggest in the world.”

He further added, “Given the chance for a solar based solution with elimination of dependence on diesel etc., our company can also provide the required solution of 4G which is designed, developed, and manufactured in India and complies with TEC GR, TSEC parameters and can be rolled out completely within 9 months.”

The technological upgradation will enable better internet and data services in these LWE areas. It meets the requirements of the Ministry of Home Affairs and the state governments. It shall also fulfil the communication needs of the security personnel deployed in these areas. The proposal is in line with providing mobile connectivity in rural areas. In addition, delivery of various e-governance services, banking services, tele-medicine; tele-education etc., through mobile broadband shall be possible in these areas.

CT Bureau