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DEVELOPMENT OF INTERNET IN INDIA |
DoT issues three types of licenses – Category ‘A' for all-India operations; Category ‘B' for metros and state - level circles, and Category ‘C' for medium and small cities (SDCAs). Presently there are 390 License holders, 64 in Category ‘A' and 135& 191 each in Category ‘B' and ‘C'. About 189 licensees have started their operations.
The Internet is certainly a major phenomenon in India today. Everywhere one looks, the signs of its arrival and adoption are visible. In fact it is being universally recognized that as the Internet proliferates, so will E-Commerce and E-Governance and E-Business. It is, therefore, in our National interest to boost the expansion of Internet Services in the Country. This will not only help our country to become a part of emerging global E-economy, but will also enable the citizens to avail of the benefits arising out of IT enabled services.
Initiatives by the Government
The New Telecom Policy, 1999 (NTP ’99) stipulates targets in terms of establishing Telecom Network with a view to achieve tele-density of 7 per 100 by the year 2005 and 15 per 100 by the year 2010. The NTP ’99 also stipulates targets for providing Internet Access to all District Headquarters by the year 2002. In addition, the Government has initiated various pro-active measures in the proliferation of the Internet Services in the Country. Some of the important initiatives are as under :
- ISP License is one of the most liberal License, wherein no License Fee has been levied on the ISPs till 31st October 2003.Thereafter, a token license fee of Rs. One per annum is payable w.e.f. 1st November 2003.
- There is no restriction on the number of Service Providers in all the three categories i.e. ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’.
- ISPs have been permitted to set up International Gateways by having business arrangement with Foreign Satellites Providers and Collaborators.
- ISPs have been permitted to provide last mile access using Radio and Fiber Optics.
- ISPs have been permitted to provide ISP Services through Cable T V Infrastructure / Operators.
- The Government has initiated an ambitious plan to developed National Internet Backbone (NIB) in the country.
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