SHILLONG, Dec 7 � State-run service provider Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is improving its network on the Indo-Bangla border by setting up towers and common service centres, which would be unusable from across the neighbouring country.
�Three operators � Aircel, Reliance and BSNL � have been assigned to execute connectivity to enable support for mobile services and broadband connectivity in rural and border areas of the three States of Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura�, Chief General Manager (CGM) North East, Telecom Circle-1 Rajesh Gupta said.
�We have erected four towers in border areas of Meghalaya at Tikrikilla, Rongjam, Mawsynram and Baghmara,� Gupta said at a media briefing here yesterday.
The border towers would render the services unusable from across the international border, he said.
Under its universal service obligation (USO) programme, 115 BTS towers in NE circle-1, with 49 common service centre (CSC) in Meghalaya including 30 in the border areas are progressing at a steady rate, he said.
The CGM said the BSNL began the process of erecting BTS Towers near the borders after the Centre relaxed its directive of setting up towers from 10 km to 500 metres from the border. �Earlier, there was a restriction by the Union Home Ministry to set up towers within 10 km from the international border. Now the restriction has been reduced to 500m. The new towers will be erected shortly,� he said.
The fund allotted is to be utilised exclusively for meeting the universal service obligation (USO) by providing access to telegraph services to people in the rural and remote areas at affordable and reasonable prices. � PTI
