DoP and TRAI Signed MoU for India's Largest Village-Level Telecom Network Survey

DoP and TRAI Signed MoU for India's Largest Village-Level Telecom Network Survey

• Who: Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications + Telecom Regulatory Authority of India [TRAI].[DoP]
• What: Largest village-level telecom network performance survey.
• Coverage: 5.68 lakh villages, 4 operators - Airtel, Jio, Vi, BSNL.
• Tool: Android-based app developed by TRAI.
• Manpower: 1.40 lakh Gramin Dak Sevaks will collect data during routine postal operations.[GDSs]
• Duration: 1 year.
• Objective: Identify connectivity gaps, evidence-based policy, strengthen Digital India, improve rural telecom.
• Signatories: Manisha Bansal Badal and S. M. K. Chandra [TRAI].[DoP]
• TRAI: Established 1997, HQ New Delhi, Chairperson Anil Kumar Lahoti.
• UPSC Relevance: GS2 - Governance, GS3 - Communication Infrastructure.
• Mains Angle: Using postal network for last-mile governance, digital divide.