The Cabinet has approved the National Digital Communication Policy 2018 which aims to provide universal broadband connectivity at 50 megabit per second (MBPS) to every citizen.

It will also provide one Gbps connectivity to all Gram Panchayats by 2020 and 10 Gbps by 2022.

This estimated speed is much faster than the present speed being provided to Gram Panchayats and will enable fast Internet surfing and download of data.

Briefing reporters after the cabinet meeting, Communications Minister Manoj Sinha said, this will create 40 lakh additional jobs in the Digital Communications sector. He said, with this approval, the contribution of Digital Communications sector in country’s GDP will go up from six per cent to eight per cent.

The policy will also attract investment of 100 billion dollars in the digital communication sector. This will also ensure connectivity to all uncovered areas.

The policy advocates establishment of National Digital Grid by creating a National Fibre Authority.

Our correspondent reports that the new National Digital Communications Policy – 2018 has been formulated, in place of the existing National Telecom Policy-2012, to cater to the modern needs of the digital communications sector of India.