NEW DELHI: The Cabinet Committee on Security has approved the long-pending Rs 7,796 crore project to further upgrade the Army’s digital telecommunication network across the country.
The Phase-IV of the Army Static Switched Communication Network (ASCON) will be implemented by public sector unit ITI over the next three years under a contract inked on Thursday.
“The project will augment the Army’s communication network in sensitive forward areas. It will provide a major boost to the operational preparedness of the force, especially keeping in view the current operational situation at the Line of Actual Control with China,” said a defence ministry official.
The project will extend high bandwidth communication, with better survivability and responsiveness, to remote operational areas along the borders with China and Pakistan.
“It is a strategic and theatre area communication network, which will upgrade the existing asynchronous transfer mode technology to Internet Protocol (IP) and Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) technology. Optical fiber cables, microwave radios and satellites will be used as the communication media,” he added.
The project, which has an approximate indigenous content of 80%, involves execution of civil works, laying of optical fiber cables, construction of towers and the like. “So, it will generate employment opportunities for people in remote border areas as well as support and boost rural economy,” he said.
The Phase-IV of the Army Static Switched Communication Network (ASCON) will be implemented by public sector unit ITI over the next three years under a contract inked on Thursday.
“The project will augment the Army’s communication network in sensitive forward areas. It will provide a major boost to the operational preparedness of the force, especially keeping in view the current operational situation at the Line of Actual Control with China,” said a defence ministry official.
The project will extend high bandwidth communication, with better survivability and responsiveness, to remote operational areas along the borders with China and Pakistan.
“It is a strategic and theatre area communication network, which will upgrade the existing asynchronous transfer mode technology to Internet Protocol (IP) and Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) technology. Optical fiber cables, microwave radios and satellites will be used as the communication media,” he added.
The project, which has an approximate indigenous content of 80%, involves execution of civil works, laying of optical fiber cables, construction of towers and the like. “So, it will generate employment opportunities for people in remote border areas as well as support and boost rural economy,” he said.