Question: Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to satate :-

(a) whether in the absence of dedicated telecom network, critical defence communications have been affected;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether there has been delay in laying the said network for defence services; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

Answer: Minister of Defence (Shri A.K. Antony)

(a) & (b) As per the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Ministry of Communications & Information Technology (MoC&IT) on 22nd May 2009, against release of spectrum upto 65 MHz, MoC&IT is to provide dedicated OFC network. Before dedicated OFC network becomes operational, Defence equipment is operating within the reduced spectrum available. As per MoU, the Defence spectrum is to be released progressively based on phases of establishment of OFC network by MoC&IT.

(c) & (d) Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure (CCI) has given the approval in July 2012, for laying of alternate communications network for Defence Services in a period of 36 months.

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