National Broadcast Mission 2.0

News: The Union Minister of Communications has launched the National Broadband Mission (NBM) 2.0 to enhance telecom accessibility, security, and empowerment across India. 

About National Broadcast Mission 2.0 

• It is built on the success of NBM 1.0, which was launched for the period 2019-2024 as a part of the National Digital Communications Policy, 2018. 
  • Under NBM 1.0 nearly 8 lakh telecom towers were established. 
• Objectives of NBM 2.0 
  • Ensure that at least 60 out of every 100 rural households have access to broadband connectivity. 
  • Create a robust digital infrastructure by achieving a minimum fixed broadband download speed of 100 Mbps. 
  • Envisages India as a global knowledge society by providing High-speed Broadband and Meaningful Connectivity for all in line with the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047. 

Key Benefits of NBM 2.0 

• Provide operational optical fiber cable (OFC) connectivity to 2.70 lakh villages by 2030. 
• Extend broadband connectivity to 90% of anchor institutions like Schools, PHCs, Anganwadi Centre, and Panchayat offices by 2030. 
• Achieve the target of powering 30% of mobile towers with sustainable energy by 2030. 
• Improve the Fixed broadband download Speeds to a minimum 100 Mbps by 2030. 
• Facilitate rollout of the 5G network and lay the groundwork for future 6G technology. 
• Leverage power sector assets such as Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) to enhance broadband connectivity during the times of emergencies and in remote regions of the country. 
• Enhance the usage of the ‘Call Before u Dig’ (CBuD) mobile app to protect underground Telecom infrastructure and other utilities.