In an interview to Economic Times, Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the Ministry is considering the call drop issue as priority and hence, taking into account a system of ‘disincentive’ to telecom operators in case of call drops.
“EMF (electric and magnetic field) radiation scare is one big factor, which is affecting the quality. To improve call drops, we need to install more BTS (base transceiver station). Consumers and consumer activists must understand that,” Minister said pointing to the radiation arguments occurring around. He also reiterated his statement that the towers are safe, which he claimed on the basis of studies from World Health Organization.
In addition, Prasad said that the Ministry will focus on Right of way and installation of BTS, as the development of country strongly lies in the improved internet penetration. “Government is trying to improve the penetration to 50 crore from the present 30 crore in next two years,” he said.
The department will take spectrum sharing guidelines to the Cabinet by June-end. Prasad denied any rumors of spectrum scarcity and assured that more spectrum auctions will be followed.
As a next year focus, the Government will work on improving the quality of BSNL and MTNL. To discuss on NOFN (National Optical Fibre Network), the IT Ministers and secretaries will meet on May 29. “The idea is to have at least four or five fibres for government to deliver e-governance, equal amount of fibre pipes for BSNL and another four or five for private players,” Minister summarized.
With the help of State government, Ministry is trying to encourage rural BPOs. Mode of incentives will be worked out to improve the same. Overall, according to Prasad, the aim of Telecom Ministry is to change the digital profile of the country.
