UPSC Exam Preparation: Topic of the Day – Network For Spectrum (NFS) Project
Network For Spectrum (NFS) Project is a project related to the network for defence services, being implemented by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). The NFS project is aimed at boosting the communication capabilities of the Defence Forces in a major way leading to enhanced national operational preparedness. The project will have forward linkages to other related industries such as telecom equipment manufacturing and other telecommunication related services. It is a Countrywide Secure, Multi-service and Multi-protocol Converged Next Generation Network based on Exclusive and Dedicated Tri-services Optical Transport Backbone. The project will have an impact on the Network Centric Warfare capabilities of the Indian Army in terms of enhanced voice, data and real time video services. Under the project, optical fiber is being laid to provide a dedicated backbone communication and IT network connecting stations of Army, Navy and Air Force. It is expected that the project would be completed within a period of 2 years.
In the year 2009-10 an agreement was signed by the Union Defence Ministry and the Department of Telecommunication (DoT), the highest decision making body of the Telecom Ministry for setting up of an exclusive defence network for its communication services. As per the terms of the agreement, the DoT had agreed to vacate 25 MHz of 3G spectrum and 20 MHz of 2G spectrum in various phases for defence communication purposes alone.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has now given an approval for the enhancement of budget for the Network For Spectrum project by Rs. 11,330 crore. The enhancement is over and above the already approved amount of Rs. 13,334 crore. With the change, the total budget for the network for Defence Services has shot upto Rs. 24, 664 crore.
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