Why RoW Is Critical For Telecom Infrastructure?
The alignment of the State’s policy on Telecom infrastructure in alignment with RoW guidelines is a critical enabling factor not only for hastening telecom infrastructure but also making citizen’s life easier. For instance, adhering strictly to RoW rules will make for smart development without damaging the existing physical infrastructure like roads and making the companies more accountable to relay the dug up roads as per the RoW guidelines.
According to data available, India right now has 500K telecom towers and as per TAIPA we are short of 100K given the current demand, and by 2020 India needs about 1.2 million towers to jumpstart a pan India digital revolution and also address a range of Quality of Services (QoS) issues and performance uptimes. Moreover, the availability of robust telecom infrastrcture is necessary to facilitate emerging technologies like 5G, IoT and meet the objectives of NDCP 2018.
Clearly, time is now to speed up Telecom infrastructure and for that, the RoW rules and guidelines need to be followed to the letter by the State Governemnts. The Governemnt’s urgency in expediting RoW is a right step in hastening digital India.
Experts feel that a increase adoption of the new and advanced form of communication technologies and to implement the targets of the National Digital Communications Policy (NDCP), there is a need for Centre and State to give RoW permissions for towers and OFC ina more supportive and timely manner for enhanced infrastructure and connectivity. Moreover, the RoW guidelines were clreared by the government, which will fast-foraward India into the digital world by ensuring the rollout of optical fibre cables and over-ground telecom infrastructure, ensuring the success of Digital India Mission.
One of the best practices in developing Telecom infrastructure is the Common Duct ‘Dig Once Policy. In a ‘Common Duct’ approach, a common OFC will be laid and it will facilitate a range of services like Internet, Electricity and Cable TV et al. This will have bigger ramifications in terms of each company laying its own duct and enables sharing of infrastructure and greatly simplify to meet RoW guidelines.
India right now has 500K telecom towers and as per TAIPA we are short of 100K given the current demand and by 2020 India needs about 1.2 million towers to jumpstart a pan India digital revolution