The Hindu Business Line : `Broadband policy will be consumer-friendly'

The Communication and IT Minister, Mr Dayanidhi Maran, flanked by the Chairman, Department of Telecom, Mr Nripendra Misra (left), and the Chairman and Managing Director, MTNL, Mr R.S.P Sinha, at the launch of MTNL's digital certifying authority service and new model of fixed-wireless telephones for Garuda Services in the Capital on Thursday. - Ramesh Sharma

New Delhi , Aug 5

THE Communications and IT Minister, Mr Dayanidhi Maran, on Thursday, said that the broadband policy, to be unveiled next week, will be consumer-friendly.

The policy would be aimed at increasing the Internet usage through tax sops and incentives. It is also looking at the option of allowing smaller Internet service providers (ISPs) and telecom companies to use the State-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd's nationwide infrastructure for offering broadband services.

Speaking at the launch of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd's digital certificate services, Mr Maran said that both BSNL and MTNL are gearing up for a national rollout of broadband services.

The telecom regulator had issued the guidelines on broadband and Internet usage three months ago, which had suggested a number of initiatives including a five-year service tax holiday for the ISPs, a waiver of the entertainment tax on broadband subscription, removal of anti-dumping duty on recycled personal computers imported into India and 50 per cent reduction in income-tax for Web-hosting services for five years.

The policy is being awaited by the industry since most telecom companies such as Bharti, Reliance, Tata Teleservices are betting high on broadband

MTNL broadband by year-end: MTNL today said that it was planning to launch broadband services by the end of the year. It was also launching high-speed wireless broadband through Wi-Fi and Wi-Max services in the next three months.