The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for enhancement of budget by ₹ 11,330 crore for Network For Spectrum (NFS) project for laying of alternate communication network for Defence Services for release of spectrum over and above ₹ 13,334 crore already approved by Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure in July, 2012.

The project, being implemented by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL),  will be completed in a period of 24 months.

The NFS project will boost the communication capabilities of the Defence Forces in a major way leading to enhanced national operational preparedness.  The project will also have forward linkages to other related industries such as telecom equipment manufacturing and other telecommunication related services.

Spectrum allocation expansion funds approved to build alternate defence communications network, strengthening operational preparedness and telecom capacity. Cabinet approval increases funding for the Network For Spectrum project to enable release of additional spectrum and construct an alternate communications network for Defence Services, to be implemented by a state-owned telecom operator within a twenty-four month completion period, aiming to enhance defence communications capability and create forward linkages to telecom manufacturing and services.