Lok Sabha MP S Supongmeren Jamir visited the Nagaland Branch of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) today, where the organization shared the challenges it faces in expanding telecom connectivity across the state. During the visit to the State Office Headquarters, General Manager Masharib Gul Mufti ITS provided a detailed briefing on the connectivity gaps and ongoing efforts to address them.
Mufti emphasized the lack of optical fiber cables (OFC) in many districts, noting that only three districts currently have proper OFC connections. He highlighted that they had submitted an ambitious project envisaging the erection of 555 Telecommunication Towers spread across the state under the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) of the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications. This project, according to Mufti, aims to provide long-needed last-mile connectivity to the consumers in the affected areas.
Mufti also stressed the importance of fiberisation of the Telecom Towers for faster, more efficient, and reliable data transmissions, adding that the Corporation is currently in advanced-level discussions with the Power Department, Government of Nagaland, for employing the use of the High-Tension Power Transmission Line infrastructure existing in the state for expanding its wired data network. This proposed mode of data transmission through the Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) cable medium is expected to provide high-speed fiber connectivity to four more additional districts in the state.
MP Supongmeren Jamir acknowledged the challenges and praised BSNL’s efforts to bridge the connectivity divide. He assured the management of his support and promised to raise the issue at both the state and central levels to expedite infrastructure development.