Understanding freedom of expression online and offline
In December 2014, DEF conducted a study to analyse connectivity in the pilot locations of the NOFN (which consists of 30 Gram Panchayats in Rajasthan, 15 in Andhra Pradesh and 14 in North Tripura). The study reveals that there is a fairly large gap between the initial claims made and the re-alities. There is an uneven distribution of NOFN among the gram Panchayats. Even in the pilot phase, only 67% of the Panchayats had a hard-line connection to NOFN (20.5% have no connection to NOFN at all). Not all the Panchayats with a connection were actually con-nected to NOFN – only 45.5% of the Panchayats surveyed had access to the services pro-vided by NOFN.
Further, the average broadband connectivity is 50 MBPs at Gram Panchayat level, which falls short of the envisioned goal of 100 MBPs. Even where there is NOFN connectivity, the ecosystem of services is below the planned suite. As for the rural areas beyond the Pan-chayats, NOFN connectivity has not reached/been distributed there as BBNL promised.
This study highlights the importance of the NOFN as not only physical infrastructure but an integral part of allowing citizens access to services. This further links to highlighting the importance of proper management and sustainability of any infrastructure that is laid down by the government.
The study reveals that there is a fairly large gap between the initial claims made and the realities.There is an uneven distribution of NOFN among the gram Panchayats. Even in the pilot phase, only 67% of the Panchayats had a hard-line connection to NOFN (20.5% have no connection to NOFN at all). Not all the Panchayats with a connection were actually connected to NOFN – only 45.5% of the Panchayats surveyed had access to the services provided by NOFN.
Click here to see full NOFN Report
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