Context:
National Broadband Mission (NBM) 2.0 unveiled by Ministry of Communications.
National Broadband Mission (NBM) 2.0:
- Builds on the success of NBM 1.0, which was initiated in 2019 under the National Digital Communications Policy, 2018.
- Objectives –
- Digital Infrastructure Growth – Accelerate the development of digital infrastructure.
- Bridge Digital Divide – Reduce the gap in digital access.
- Affordable Broadband – Ensure affordable broadband access for all.
Key Features:
- Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) Connectivity: Extend OFC connectivity to 2.70 lakh villages by 2030, with 95% uptime, up from around 50,000 villages.
- Broadband for Anchor Institutions: Provide broadband to 90% of anchor institutions (schools, PHCs, Anganwadi Centers, Panchayat offices) by 2030.
- Broadband Speed: Achieve a minimum fixed broadband download speed of 100 Mbps.
- 5G and Future Networks: Facilitate the rollout of 5G networks and prepare for future 6G networks.
- Optical Ground Wire (OPGW): Leverage OPGW from the power sector to enhance connectivity, especially during disasters, wars, and emergencies.
Source: PIB
Previous Year Question
With reference to communication technologies, what is/are the difference/differences between LTE (Long-Term Evolution) and VoLTE (Voice over Long-Term Evolution)?
1. LTE is commonly marketed as 3G and VoLTE is commonly marketed as advanced 3G.
2. LTE is data-only technology and VoLTE is voice-only technology.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2019 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
LTE or Long Term Evolution is a series of 4G network standards that were agreed in 2008. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
Under LTE, the infrastructure of telecom players only allows transmission of data while voice calls are routed to their older 2G or 3G networks. VoLTE is both data and voice technology. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.