6.0 The Connectivity Options
6.1 The SWAN:
The State Wide Area Networks (SWAN) have been identified as one of the core infrastructure components under NeGP. The Department of Information Technology, Government of India (hereafter referred to as DIT), is the nodal department for SWAN implementation in the 29 States and 6 Union Territories. The SWAN Scheme proposes to establish a minimum of 2 Mbps connectivity up to the block level through extension and creation of NICNET / SWANsacross the country. The Scheme is being implemented as a “centralized initiative with decentralized implementation”.
The CSC scheme would be complimentary to the SWAN as CSCs would serve as the end delivery points and SWAN will be the backbone for communication and electronic commerce.
6.2 The SWAN Architecture
The SWAN is required to be open standards based, scalable, high capacity network to carry voice, data and video traffic between the designated State Government offices at the State, district and sub division / block levels. The connectivity to the end-user is based on either one or more of the standard technologies like leased circuits, VSAT, Radio Frequency dial-up circuits or using appropriate Ethernet ports for the individual offices. The network would have single point gateways of adequate capacity connected to the Internet. The SWAN shall be built vertically on three tiers of network connectivity:
a) Primary Tier consisting of SHQ
b) Secondary Tier consisting of DHQs
c) Tertiary Tier consisting of SDHQs/ blocks
Exhibit 31: The SWAN Architecture
6.3 Connecting to CSCs
Wireless connectivity would be available either
at the block level or at the sub-block level through the backbone of Wireless Service Provider so that villages located within 10-15 kms radius around the block could be connected. Consequently, where fibre or fixed – wire connectivity is not available for the purpose of G2C services, the CSCs will connect to the SWAN through wireless options. The intent of the Government is to provide such connectivity to the CSC at a nominal rate with the SCA / CSC investing in the Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) at the CSC.
6.4 SWAN Rollout Status:
The SWAN project is at an advanced stage of implementation in six out of the 35 States and Union Territories. These six States are Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Punjab and Haryana. In 7 out of 35 (20 %) of States / UTs, the SWAN has not yet been initiated. In the balance States / UTs, the SWAN rollout has been initiated and at various stages of implementation. As per the current estimate 9 (25%) of the States / UT should be ready with the SWAN in the next 12 months i.e. by the time the CSCs rollout. The overall status is reflected in Exhibit 32:
Exhibit 32: SWAN Rollout Status
6.5 Technology options for the last mile connectivity: Convergence of technologies has made it technically possible to deliver voice, data and video services through the CSC network. In order to provide convergence of Voice, High
Speed Internet, Video Conference and Video-on-demand, it is essential to have last mile connectivity using Optical Fiber Cable and/or Broadband Wireless Networks. The various options available for the last mile connectivity are:
a) Leased Line
b) VSAT
c) Wi-Max
d) Radio Frequency
e) ISP
f) DECT
g) Broadband over Power Line
The DIT has constituted a special committee to review and recommend an appropriate option. Such recommendations would then enable the next stage of discussions with the service providers, vendors, etc
6.6 Current Connectivity Options - Pre-SWAN:
6.6.1 In large parts of the country, there will be a phase lag between the establishment of CSCs and the rollout of SWAN. Accordingly, alternate connectivity options need to be explored.
a) Dial Up Internet: The most commonly available option for connecting to the Internet is through a Dial-Up Connection. The fundamental constraint of this option is the speed. A maximum speed of 57.6kbps is available, though actual users do report only 19.2 / 38.4 kbps. Hence, while this option provides an adequate starting solution, in the long run a broadband option would be required to provide the desired range and quality of services.
b) Digital Subscriber Line- DSL: DSL is fast gaining ground in India. Most of the Basic Services Operators (BSOs) like BSNL, Reliance Infocomm, Tata Teleservices, MTNL, Bharti Televentures, etc provide this option to the consumers. ISPs like MTNL, Tata Indicom, BSNL also have a DSL based broadband service.
BSNL has over 20,000 rural digital exchanges from where it should be possible for them to provide DSL connections to CSCs. In addition, rural penetration achieved by other BSOs needs to be mapped.
c) Wireless Internet through Mobile Connections: With fast penetration of Mobile telephony in the rural India, wireless Internet could also emerge as one of the options. A potential speed of 115 kbps is available. The constraint however would be the limited penetration of mobile telephony in the rural areas
6.7 Broadband connectivity:
BSNL has over 72% of the available OFC route kilometer network. Private service providers such as Reliance, Bharti, Tata have laid down their own networks. Reliance (60000 Kilometers of Fibre Optic backbone), Bharti (25000 Kilometers of OFC capacity) and Tata Teleservices (around 2200 Kms of OFC network) account for over 18% of available coverage. Alternate Telecom Network (ATN) providers such as Railways, Power Grid and Gailtel operate over 72000 Kms of Optic Fibre Cables representing over 10% of the prevalent OFC coverage.
6.8 Need for a central initiative:
As indicated herein, BSNL has fibre connectivity to most towns and fibre has almost infinite bandwidth carrying capability. Nearly 85% of villages are within 15-20 km radius of these taluka / towns (in India, typically 300 villages in 30 Km radius). What this implies is that BSNL already has the highest Points of Access available today. With the availability of Digital exchanges in the rural areas, BSNL could be an optimum source for the last mile connectivity until the SWAN is rolled out. It is also important that an alternate mode of connectivity, for example, Railtel etc. should also be actively explored.
The task of identifying a cost effective broadband connectivity should be driven centrally, as the SCAs will not be in a good position to “negotiate” with the BSOs and ATNs. The challenge of the last mile wireless technology should be dealt with centrally also. Hence an optimum strategy for the connectivity can only be arrived at once the DIT committees set up in this context arrive at their recommendations.