BSNL To Use Solar Backup Technology in Remote Areas of Himachal

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As the nation got stumped by the Covid-19 pandemic, the internet is the only option we are left with, to connect the world virtually. However, some remote or far-flung areas of various states are still struggling with poor bandwidth or broadband signals.

The same happened in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh (HP) and the HP High Court has directed the government-owned BSNL to replace the outdated solar backup technology to redress the problem of inadequate bandwidth due to erratic electricity supply in far-flung areas of the state.

BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd.) provider of telecom services and network management from the erstwhile Central Government Departments of Telecom Services (DTS) and Telecom Operations (DTO), is the largest & leading PSU providing a comprehensive range of telecom services in India.

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The court has ordered the BSNL to prepare a roadmap for installing the latest solar panels initially concerning 191 towers, which are situated in extremely backward areas of Himachal Pradesh, and thereafter get the same approved from the quarters concerned within one month from Monday and report compliance on the next date of hearing.

This comes after a statement from a division bench of Justices Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Chander Bhusan Barowalia, that says, “We are informed by the officials of the BSNL that even though they have a solar backup but the same is based on outdated and obsolete technology using the lead-acid battery.”

The bench stressed one of the major reasons behind the poor bandwidth or broadband signal, that is the erratic supply of electricity in backward and far-flung areas of the state, more particularly the tribal areas. “In the given circumstances, we are of the considered view that old and outdated technology needs to be phased out gradually and the batteries need to be replaced with the latest technology in a phased manner,” ordered the bench of Justices.

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The matter has been extended till the next hearing on July 26, 2021. And the judges also found that the rates for laying cables in the state were probably the highest in the country at Rs. 1,600 per meter. Along with this, the Advocate General of Himachal Pradesh, Ad. Ashok Sharma has been granted four weeks to notify the court concerning this aspect.