SHIMLA:  Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary  R.D. Dhiman today asked department of telecommunication (DOT)  to expedite rolling  out of telecom connectivity in 585 unconnected border villages in Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba districts and Dodra Kuar in  Shimla   in the state.

State Broadband Committee meeting was held here today under his chairmanship in which he issued these directions to the DOT.  

However, there are still 585 villages in the state which are either not connected or partially covered.

The Chief Secretary reviewed the progress of rollout of high speed broadband connectivity under National Broadband Mission. 

He further asked DOT to ensure that telecom connectivity in 24 border villages of Kinnaur and Lahaul & Spiti under Vibrant Village Project and in 46 villages of Chamba under Aspirational District Project to be provided by March, 2023.

He also laid emphasis on sharing of telecom infrastructure by all telecommunications service providers operating in Himachal Pradesh.

It would help in extending quality of services to the citizens and the time cluttering of telecom infrastructure, especially in the towns would also be minimized as well.

The Chief Secretary assured the DOT, GoI that the state would extend all possible support for implementation of National Broadband Mission.

As per DOT, broadband connectivity has been provided in 96.20% villages of the state with broadband speed ranging from 9 mbps to 12.4 mbps.

The representatives of DOT, BSNL, Digital Infrastructure Providers Association (DIPA), Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) and State departments including Information Technology, PWD, Urban Development, MPP & Power were present in the meeting.