SPV to build broadband network

A special purpose vehicle (SPV) with equity participation from BSNL, MTNL and other public sector units such as RailTel, Gail and PowerGrid, amo­ng others, will undertake the 20,000-crore project to build a national broad­­band network to take high-speed internet to the hinterlands. This involves laying 11 lakh km of optic fibre network connecting over 2.5 lakh panchayats across the country. The Department of Telecom (DoT) in its proposal to the Cabinet has said that private players would be 'inducted' into the SPV by equity expansion at a later date. The DoT is of the view that an SPV should only be created for managing the fibre network after it is built by BSNL. The finance ministry, on the other hand, had demanded that the SPV be entrusted with both the rollout and managing the network. The DoT has already formed a high-level committee and an advisory body to oversee the project.