On increasing the rural telecom backbone
The main challenge before us is the rapid expansion of the rural telecom network in the country. How do we meet this? The targets for the current year have not been met. We had envisaged that 45,000 village public telephones would be installed by March 2000. Instead, only 3,000 have been covered and the rest will have to be done within the remaining four months.

I have issued strict directions to all senior officials forspeeding up the process and keep continuous touch with concerned chief general managers (CGMs) of state circles. On my part, I am monitoring the situation on a daily basis.

On the failure of private telecom operators to meet targets
I have realised that the private sector does not want to go into the less remunerative and remote areas. While their role and contribution is necessary and is being looked into, I have directed the Department of Telecom and the Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd to expedite the roll-out of new telephone lines. The Department of Telecom plans to formulate a master plan for the national capital region shortly. I am hopeful that in the southern states, the targets will be met with before the deadline of 2002.

In fact, we will complete the task by 2001 itself. All state capitals will be able to offer telephone connections on demand by March 2000 itself.

On making telephone's more affordable and increasing teledensity
Both MTNL and DoT have embarked on a number ofschemes to bring telecom facilities to more people. Registration fees have been halved, from Rs 3,000 to Rs 1,500. This has lead to a tremendous upsurge in demand.

While that is an encouraging sign, it has also put a lot of pressure on our infrastructure. For instance, the rebate scheme in Andhra Pradesh has lead to a piquant situation. Earlier, as on March 31, 1999 the number of customers who were on the waiting list was just 84,000. But now, the waiting list as on October 30, 1999 has jumped up to a massive 8.02 lakh!

On choosing the right technology mix
Village areas have problems. We have to decide whether we should have macro-cellular wireless in local loop (WLL) technology or cellular or just wireless systems. The fact is that the MARR technology that has been used till date is a failure and cannot give us the desired results.

I am also awaiting the report of the group of rural telecom headed by the minister of state. Once that report comes in, I am sure that work on this front will betaken up in earnest. In fact, the department is also at present evaluating the WLL technology for use all over India. The project is on and the final report is expected by February next year.

On the metros particularly the nation's capital, Delhi
Delhi is the rajdhani and deserves to have adequate telecom infrastructure. I have asked officials to prepare a master plan for the national capital. After all what is the logic for not having a forward looking plan. We have to anticipate demand beforehand and have the appropriate telecom infrastructure ready.

On issues like TRAI and the tariff rebalancing
I have repeatedly said that we will strengthen the regulator and have initiated a comprehensive dialogue with TRAI officials. The issues are complex. For instance, there is also a need to look at the cost of telecom services now, as a result of the rebalancing. We have not increased the burden on rural sector and I am also aware that the semi-urban and urban population is also feeling thepinch.

Anyway, these are issues that have to be considered in detail, but the fact remains that the interests of all will have to be protected - private sector, consumers as well as DoT.

On DoT plans for increasing internet access
By January 26 we will have installed internet nodes in all the SSAs. In addition, by March 31 we will extend internet facilities to all the 573 district headquarters. The implementation plans are being monitored by me and I want to ensure that the maximum number of people are able to utilise and benefit from the Net.