By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, MAY 23, 2018: THE Union Cabinet has approved the "Universal Service Obligation Fund [USOF]” supported scheme to provide mobile services at 4072 tower locations identified by MHA in inhabited uncovered areas affected by Left Wing Extremism [LWE] of 96 districts in 10 States for Phase-ll project. The total project cost would be Rs 7,330 Crores.

This network would be used by the security personnel deployed in LWE affected areas. Project would also provide the mobile services to help the residents in unconnected inhabited villages which would improve the economic activities in the region. It would give impetus to the e-Governance activities in the backward and LWE affected area with the availability of digital mobile connectivity.

The numbers of Tower locations proposed in the 10 States are as follows:

Background:

A. LWE Phase I project

1. The LWE phase-l project for providing the mobile services using 2G technology in LWE Areas with a total sanctioned cost of Rs 4080.78 Cr is on completion.
2. Total 2335 sites are radiating out of total 2355 as on date.

B. LWE-Phase-II project

1. MHA in consultation with the concerned states has identified 4072 tower locations for the communication need of the security personnels deployed in 96 districts of 10 states and provided to DoT on 27 th October, 2017.
2. Technology proposed in the Phase-ll project has been upgraded according to the requirement of Stakeholders. Now 2G and 4G technology is being deployed in this project for providing the mobile connectivity.