Kolkata: State-run BSNL's Bengal circle will be rolling out optical fibre connectivity to 2,503 gram panchayats of the state by 2016.
"We have already been able to connect 500 gram panchayats and by next year we will complete connecting the rest," BSNL CGM (Bengal circle) Kishore Kumar said here today at the Digital India week celebration.
He said Rs 300 crore would be spent to execute the laying of optic fibre in 7,583 km.
Asked about the number of gram panchayats that would be left out in the first phase, Kumar put the figure at 100 odd.
The Bengal circle will spend between Rs 280-300 crore in capex during the current fiscal. The money would be spent in expanding mobile network.
Kumar said the circle has received positive response to the company's free national roaming and free night call facilities and was getting new customers both for its mobile and landline services.
PTI
First Published: Monday, July 6, 2015, 20:37