Strategy for the BSNL for providing viable telecom connectivity in the state of Uttaranchal

Abstract

There is a need to have clear understanding of the issues, problems and prospects associated with the rural telecom connectivity. The general argument given by the service providers is that the rural telecom services are financially not viable. Does the argument hold well in ever changing and technologically driven vibrant telecom market? What are the costs involved with respect to different technology for providing rural telephony? Can we develop a cost effective economic model for providing not only rural telephony but total telecom solution? With this broad reason in mind, this topic has been chosen for the dissertation. The purpose of this research is to understand the reasons for the wide gap in tele-density between urban and rural area. To try and understand how these positions could be changed? What are the policy guidelines? This is the study of the telecom connectivity problems in Uttaranchal. In this research thesis, the current state of telecom connectivity in Uttaranchal has been studied. Beginning with the landline connections, the different technology deployment in different parts of Uttaranchal has also been studied. The study tries to draw the conclusions on the basis of revenue and cost pattern in different telephone exchanges in the state of Uttaranchal. The marginal revenue has been linked with the marginal cost after studying the cost pattern for the capital as well as for the operating and maintenance expenditure in few telephone exchanges (wherever the data was available) in the Uttaranchal telecom circle of BSNL. The problem faced by user in getting the telecom facility as well as by the operator in providing telecom services in this difficult geographical and hilly terrain has also been studied with. At last, the study concludes with some policy changes required in this regard, not only for this hilly state but also for all such hilly and geographically difficult state in the country.