Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: As the poor internet connectivity across educational institutions hampers online learning, the Department of Information and Technology (DoIT) has proposed to replace Goa Broadband Network (GBBN) with the Centre’s Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BharatNet) across 1500 locations that includes government departments, schools and colleges.
Of the total 1533 GBBN locations, government departments, corporations, schools, and colleges, the network is working at 1292 locations.
The service is not working across 241 locations, primarily educational institutions, says a government reply to the Assembly.
“The process is on to carry out rectification,” sources said.
GBBN is a state-wide network connection implemented by United Telecom Limited (UTL).
The ambitious GBBN project failed to help the rural students struggling to attend Online classes during the pandemic.
To cope with the situation, the DoIT has applied for Bharatnet funding to the tune of Rs 320 crore to the Union Ministry’s Department of Telecom to increase the internet penetration in the village via an optical fibre network.
Sources said that DoIT is still discussing with the Centre for sanctioning BharatNet, thereby replacing GBBN, whose contract ended last month.
In yet another step, the State government plans to provide WiFi connectivity in remote village panchayat areas to provide uninterrupted and consistent internet connectivity.
Sources said that on a pilot basis, the government has already introduced WiFI connectivity for six village panchayats through GBBN and is identifying more locations.
The electronics and Information Technology Minister has assured support to the State government to change to Bharat Broadband Network Limited (Bharat Net) for high-speed rural connectivity and to make Goa an electronic manufacturing hub.
The State government will replace the Goa Broadband Network (GBBN) with Bharat Net by 2025 to connect all village panchayats and government offices.
The Government of India’s ambitious Bharat Net, the largest rural network project, aims to provide internet service to rural people and nearly 2.5 lakh village panchayats across the country.
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