Monthly Internet Bill for IITs and NITs: An Inside Look at NIT Surat

The monthly internet bill for institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and National Institutes of Technology (NITs) can vary significantly based on several factors, including the size of the campus, the number of users, and the type of internet service provider.

Typically, these institutions have high bandwidth requirements to support research, academic activities, and student usage. As a result, they may spend anywhere from a few lakhs to several crores of Indian Rupees per month on internet services. For example, small NITs might have monthly internet bills ranging from 2-5 lakhs, while larger IITs could have bills exceeding 10-20 lakhs per month, depending on their infrastructure and user base.

For NIT Surat, an alumni shared that the institution spends around 80 lakhs per year on internet services. While this is an estimate and can vary, the internet download speed at midnight often remains around 18-20 megabytes per second (Mbps). In some cases, it can reach up to 20 Mbps, which is still far slower than expected for such a high expenditure.

NIT Surat's Internet Usage Context

Given that NIT Surat has an alumni reported expenditure of 80 lakhs per year, this works out to around 133 rupees per month per student, assuming there are approximately 6,000 students. However, this figure does not include potential discounts that might reduce the actual cost per student.

The central computer center link mentions that MNIT Jaipur, another NIT, receives 1 Gbps from the National Knowledge Network (NKN), which is provided free of cost by the Government of India (GOI). This suggests that other NITs, including NIT Surat, might be benefiting from similar arrangements.

National Knowledge Network (NKN)

To understand the context better, it is essential to appreciate the role of NKN. The NKN is designed as a smart ultra-high bandwidth network that seamlessly interconnects leading scientific and technological institutions pursuing world-class research. It is a state-of-the-art multi-gigabit pan-India network that provides a unified high-speed network backbone for all knowledge-related institutions in the country.

The purpose of such a knowledge network is to build quality institutions with requisite research facilities and create a pool of highly trained professionals. To optimally utilize the potential of institutions engaged in the generation and dissemination of knowledge in various areas, it is crucial to connect them through a high-speed broadband network.

The NKN comprises an ultra-high-speed core, multiple of 10 Gbps, complemented by a distribution layer at appropriate speeds. Participating institutions at the edge will connect to the National Knowledge Network seamlessly at speeds of 1 Gbps or higher.

The network is designed to support overlay networks, dedicated networks, and virtual networks. Advanced applications in areas such as health, education, science, technology, grid computing, bioinformatics, agriculture, and governance are an integral part of NKN. The entire network seamlessly integrates with the global scientific community at multiple gigabits per second.

The NKN aims to impact the existing academic and student community and alter the research and development (RD) landscape for future generations.

Given the significant cost of maintaining internet services in NITs, institutions like NIT Surat need to optimize their usage and leverage the benefits offered by the NKN. This network infrastructure provides a strong foundation for cutting-edge research and development, making it a valuable investment for students, faculty, and the broader academic community.

Understanding the monthly internet bill and the role of NKN is crucial for stakeholders to ensure that resources are efficiently and effectively utilized, ultimately contributing to the institution's goals of fostering innovation and excellence in academia.