AP proposes Rs. 6,000-cr optical fibre project.

Broadband connections may become more affordable and broad-based in Andhra Pradesh, if IT-savvy Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu manages to push through a Rs. 6,000-crore optical fibre project with the Centre.

The State government had sent the proposal to the Ministry of Communication and Technology last month, which would facilitate private enterprises and households get better access through cable networks and mobile 4G and 3G platforms.

The proposal aims at making available at least 10-15 Mbps broadband connections each to 12 million homes in the State at a price of about Rs. 150 per month and on-demand availability of 100 Mbps to one Gbps connection to every business enterprise.

The proposal has got off the mark, with the Department of Telecommunication, under the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, recommending that an 'in-principle approval' may be given to a proposal.

The department, after examining the proposal, had referred it to the Telecom Commission last month, recommending that an in-principle approval could be considered, as the proposal is based on the principles of National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) project. After further examination, the proposal will be presented to the Cabinet for approval through the Telecom Commission.


HBL