DoT agrees to set-up SPV for implementing optical fibre cable project

25 Oct 2011 Evaluate

The Department of Telecom (DoT) has agreed to create a special purpose vehicle (SPV) for implementing the national optical fibre broadband project. Earlier, DoT was insisting on appointing Bharat Sanchar Nigam (BSNL) as the agency for implementing the project, which aims to connect all the panchayats. However, in a note circulated for the consideration of the Cabinet, DoT has agreed to create a SPV of all public sector units (PSUs) that have optical fiber infrastructure.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) was against the appointment of BSNL as the implementing agency as it may disturb the level-playing field. ‘There is a serious risk of anti-competitive behaviour setting into the network management,’ the TRAI had said in a communication to the DoT in May. However, DoT was still pushing BSNL as the implementing agency as BSNL has 6 lakh route km of optical fiber, the largest among all operators.

However, the ministry of finance, in response to the Union Cabinet note, said that an SPV incorporated under the Indian Companies Act may be entrusted with the execution of the programme. The SPV will select an implementing agency through competitive bidding. This is exactly what the DoT has incorporated in the final note sent to the Cabinet. The DoT, which overruled TRAI, could not sidestep finance ministry.

Along with the ministry of finance, a committee chaired by the Sam Pitroda, Advisor to the Prime Minister had also recommended creating an SPV, which would include public sector undertaking and own optical fibre cable. Committee’s recommendation suggests that the BSNL, RailTel, Gailtel and Power Grid Corporation as part of the SPV. Private operators can be given equity stake in the SPV later, it was recommended.

The SPV will also have option of raising fund from public. The DoT will take a call on these issues once the cable is rolled out. Whereas the DoT, has estimated the cost of project at around Rs 20,000 crore, however, Cabinet note had not said anything on the amount. The Cabinet note said that as the cable network will be laid over three years in remote areas of the country, it was not possible to put an amount immediately.

The SPV will do mapping of the current cable infrastructure and fix the project cost. All of the project cost will be met via the USO funds, which are presently around Rs 18,000 crore and is expected to increase to Rs 36,000 crore in coming three years.

© 2025 The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd. All rights reserved. MoneyWorks4Me ® is a registered trademark of The Alchemists Ark Pvt. Ltd.

×