Geomatics oriented model for converging electrical transmission networks into state wide area networks

Internet reachability to all Indians especially in villages still remains a challenge for Government as well as IT Professionals. A huge investment is required using the traditional approach which also be time consuming. Overhead transmission power line provides the telecommunication industry with cost effective alternative routes and the same time benefit the electric utilities by generating additional revenues using existing facilities. The advantage of fiber optic technology as way for communication is the very high capacity for carrying data. Bandwidth requirements for e-governance applications is growing day-to-day basis and it is necessary to handle the problem at this stage otherwise hiring charges will increase manifold. It opens new perspectives for the future to create “all optical” Internet and other communications systems. An increasing number of electric utilities around the world offer a fee-based license to companies seeking access to the telecommunications channels in fiber-optic cables. The most important effect of the Internet backbone would be the spread of information, which is an important source of empowerment. Reaching the unreached requires greater effort on behalf of govt. by setting up ICT facilities upto the village level. In addition there is need for converging various ICT facilities through different organizations and schemes. Through the Internet, villages would have access to large amounts of information needed for day to day operations, a lot of which is today available only to people living in urban areas leading to digital divide. Hence, the advantages of integrating electricity networks and telecom networks in a single integrated infrastructure is likely to change the concept of online services to remote locations and thus bridging the digital divide. This paper aim to focus on practical steps to carry out the full potential of convergence, with emphasis on technically viable infrastructure solution based on susta- nability principles.