Unified telecom network for Northeast

Bhaskar Hazarika

NEW DELHI: The Central Government is actively considering converting the
telecom circles in the northeast into a single entity. 

The Ministry of Telecommunication is planning of a unified Northeast telecom
network through which subscribers would be able to roam within the entire
Northeastern region under the home network. Currently there are 23 telecom
circles in the country.  

If this proposal is finalised, the subscribers in the region would get the
benefit of roaming within the region without any roaming charges. 

In the northeastern region there are three telecom circles: Assam, NE-I and
NE-II. NE-I covers Mizoram, Tripura and Meghalaya, while the NE-II covers
Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. 

A source in the Department of Telecom informed that the centre is in the
process of finalising the Northeast unified telecom network.  

“With this the three telecom circles will be counted as one single entity and
the subscribers will be spared of the roaming charges while moving from one
state to another,” the source said. 

The mobile network is also proposed to be expanded by another 7 lakh
connections this year with improved coverage and introduction of third
generation (3G) mobile services in 36 cities. The important towns would be
provided triple-play broadband, supporting voice, data and video services. 

Union Minister of State for Communications and IT Shakeel Ahmed on a visit to
Guwahati on Monday had also hinted about converting the telecom circles in to a
single entity. 

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is also planning to invest Rs 350 crore
for Assam within this financial year to expand its network and provide new
services.