Following the inception of the Digital India initiative, Odisha has witnessed an increase in job opportunities, internet usage, and the growth of the information technology sector.
“Most of the services are now technology driven that has resulted in faster, easier, reliable and cost effective delivery of government services at the doorsteps of the beneficiary. In order to ensure universal access of digital services in both urban and rural areas, the Odisha government has shown exemplary commitment in implementing Digital India initiatives”
Tusharkanti Behera, Minister of State, Electronics & IT, Sports & youth services and Home
Data shows that, compared to the national average of 38.02, the number of internet users in Odisha is only 28.22 per 100 people. The state’s total internet user base is 12.18 million, of which 5.67 million reside in rural areas. As of March 2018, Odisha had 34.62 million telesubscribers. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) recently reported that Odisha has a tele-density of 75.23 percent. In contrast, mobile service is unavailable in over 11,000 villages in Odisha. Despite efforts under the Digital India initiative to expand affordable internet services and digital infrastructure in rural and remote areas, Odisha still lags behind other states in terms of internet penetration.
Challenges to Internet Penetration
The challenges faced in internet penetration in Odisha are multi-faceted and broadly grouped into 3 categories:
- Geographical Terrain: The presence of tough hilly terrains and forested areas has hindered internet penetration in Odisha, particularly in rural and tribal regions.
- The Presence of Left Wing Extremism (LWE): The influence of Maoist forces in certain areas has also contributed to the challenges of expanding internet access in Odisha.
- Rural-Urban Divide: The significant factor influencing internet penetration in the state is the rural-urban digital divide, with tele-density in rural Odisha standing at only 42.7%, in contrast to 171% in urban areas.
- Lack of Infrastructure: The lack of digital infrastructure and poor network coverage in remote areas has also affected students’ access to online education, with only 1.8% of households having computers at home in rural Odisha.
Efforts to Improve Internet Access
- BharatNet Phase-II1: A total investment of Rs 545 crore facilitated the laying of 20,000km of overhead optical fiber cable, connecting 2,932 gram panchayats in remote parts of Odisha and 133 block headquarters. This achievement guarantees high-speed internet access in all gram panchayats, subsequently enhancing the delivery of key online services related to administration, education, health, banking, and agriculture with greater efficiency and transparency.
- Free Wi-Fi Facilities: The Odisha government has announced the provision of free Wi-Fi devices to students across the state. Free Wi-Fi will be provided on the campuses of colleges, universities, and vocational institutes in Odisha, and students in higher education institutions will receive one GB of free data for internet usage.
- Digital Revolution: Odisha is undergoing a massive digital revolution, aiming to provide seamless digital services and make the state robust and efficient in e-governance. With the use of cutting-edge technologies like blockchain, the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, augmented reality, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, the state has the potential to become a global leader in digital technology.
- Development of Digital Infrastructure: State headquarters, district headquarters, block headquarters, and horizontal offices all use the Odisha State Wide Area Network (OSWAN) as their main data, voice, and video communication hub.
Rural Internet Adoption
The last-mile villages and outlying areas of the state have seen a rise in internet adoption due to the digitization of state government machinery and public forums, especially among young people between the ages of 21 and 40.
Points to Ponder: Events such as increased per capita income and enhanced connectivity directly correlate with the rate of internet penetration in a region. The coastal belt's significantly higher penetration rate than the state's western and southern regions comes as no surprise. This gap widens when it comes to the implementation of newer technologies. Here are a few more crucial things you should be aware of: 1) Since universal internet access is not currently recognized as a fundamental right, the government is not obligated to provide it. 2) Private businesses are hesitant to make investments in locations with exceptionally low customer density per tower. 3) There is less adaptability to rapid advancements in the telecom industry among remote and less technologically advanced societies.
Future Perspectives
The Internet has emerged as the most crucial instrument for exercising the rights protected by the Indian Constitution, even though it is not a fundamental right in and of itself. To unleash the transformative power of digital communications networks, the 2018 National Digital Communications Policy (NDCP) aims to ensure service quality and environmental sustainability while promoting broadband for all as a tool for socioeconomic development.
Despite the challenges presented by the physical and economic world, the government should look for alternative solutions in order to make international markets accessible, affordable, and available. One such idea is the “Satellite-Based Community Internet Network (SB-CIN)”.
“Kindly be advised that SB-CIN is a conceptual proposition aimed at addressing the last-mile connectivity challenge. This exercise is purely speculative and lacks a solid foundation in proven technology. I explicitly disclaim any responsibility for the absence of scientific validation. This endeavor represents a sincere effort to tackle the stated problem, and I invite fellow readers to contribute their awesome ideas for potential exchange and extension alongside this article.” – Let the collaborative exploration of ideas flourish.
ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାଷାରେ ପଢିବା ପାଇଁ ଏଠାରେ କ୍ଲିକ୍ କରନ୍ତୁ।
- A tripartite agreement was signed among the OPTCL, BSNL and OCAC for extending broadband facility in BharatNet Phase-II area on revenue-sharing basis with the BSNL. ↩︎
