DoT amends RoW rules defining framework for laying aerial OFC to facilitate 5G

Department of Telecommunication (DoT), has by way of gazette notification, amended Indian Telegraph RoW Rules November, 2016 to prescribe various terms and conditions for laying overhead Optical Fiber Cable (OFC).

Optical Fiber is a fundamental and structural part of both mobile and fixed broadband networks. Faster rollout of fibre is important for backhauling a large amount of data at high throughput, improving reliability, and reducing latency.

To achieve the objective of universal broadband connectivity at 50 Mbps to every citizen, fiberisation of telecommunication networks is essential.

These DoT RoW Rules earlier covered only underground OFC and mobile towers and with this amendment in place now, desired clarity for laying overhead OFC is also available which will go a long way in creating necessary infrastructure to cater to forthcoming 5G rollouts in the country.