Sri Lanka to deploy up to 1,000 new telecom towers for national broadband push
View(s):The Ministry of Digital Economy has said there are plans to provide every person in the country with high-speed broadband connectivity by 2029.
These remarks were made during a meeting of the sectoral oversight committee on science, technology and digital transformation, held in parliament recently.
The meeting was held under the chairmanship of member of parliament (Dr) Janaka Senarathne, to discuss the action plan related to the allocation of 2026 budget provisions for the Ministry of Digital Economy and the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Senior Advisor to the President Hans Wijayasuriya presented the planned programme to provide high-speed broadband connectivity before the committee. He said steps are being taken this year to install 100 new telecommunication towers. He added that between 600 to 1,000 telecommunication towers would be required to fully meet the national requirement, and that this would be carried out in stages.
Although approximately 98% internet coverage currently exists in the country, he said, it does not meet the requirements for high-speed broadband coverage. The existing capacity must be increased by around 25% he said.
A commercial model will be prepared in relation to telecommunication towers, and opportunities will be given to the private sector to submit bids for this purpose, he said. The committee also discussed the need to improve digital literacy in areas outside Colombo, and it was proposed that programmes be organised through district secretariat offices for this purpose.
Discussions were also held regarding the action plan for allocating 2026 budget provisions for the Ministry of Science and Technology, and several annual reports and performance reports of institutions were approved.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe, and MPs Chandima Hettiarachchi, Lasith Bhashana Gamage, Chathura Galappaththi, Aboobucker Athambawa and Ruwan Wijeweera.
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