“The existing allegation on us, that the department is lagging behind in broadband services and connectivity, will soon be removed, since spectrum is going to be released for broadband wireless access.

Though, we have promised 20 million broadband connectivity, by way of target by 2010, we are reaching only 3 million now. There will be a gulf between the promise and the actual performance. So, the government is deeply concerned to fill up the gulf. For that, this broadband wireless access spectrum will be a timely step to fill up the gap, notwithstanding the fact that BSNL has already agreed, under the process, to give 3 million more connections within six months.

So, this will be a major achievement of this government, to give more service in terms of broadband wireless access; more specifically to the rural areas, which are still untouched by these services.

The government has decided to introduce number portability, keeping the interest of customers in mind. The government may not be in a position to introduce the scheme at once, cutting across the country and covering all the territorial space of this huge land. Accordingly, we have decided to initially introduce it in four metro cities, namely Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai as the first and prime phase.”