On 10.09.2014, the Government approved a proposal to implement a ' Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan for the North-Eastern Region'. The Project envisages to provide mobile coverage to 8621 identified uncovered villages, installation of 321 mobile tower sites along National Highways and strengthening of transmission network in the States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. The estimated cost of implementation is Rs 5336.18 crores which has been further enhanced to Rs. 8120.81 Crore by the Government. The plan consists of 3 schemes and out of these schemes and the Provision of mobile services in uncovered villages in Arunachal Pradesh and Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts of Assam is being implemented by BSNL on nomination basis.
An Agreement has been signed with BSNL on 16.01.2018 and the Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions (including transfer, assignments or franchising) of CMTS (Cellular Mobile Telephone Services)/ UASL (Unified Access Service License)/UL (Unified License)/ Migration or award of new license in lieu of CMTS/ UASL.
The USP shall be bound by the terms and conditions of the Agreement and any other instructions issued from time-to-time by the Administrator during the validity period of the Agreement.
USP shall provide specified mobile services by installing 2817 towers in inhabited areas in order to reach 4119 identified uncovered villages in Arunachal Pradesh and Karbi Anglong & Dima Hasao districts of Assam as List enclosed in agreement. The cost of project is 2258.18 Crore and USOF shall provide financial support as per the Financial Conditions of the Agreement.
USOF subsidy will be paid only in respect of the sites where mobile tower with backhaul and associated equipment is installed and commissioned under the Scheme and will be limited to the number of sites approved under the agreement by USOF.
Installation of towers and associated infrastructure in an uncovered village is not required if the same is already covered earlier to the signing of this agreement under any other project/scheme of "Comprehensive Telecom Development Plan for NER" or otherwise.
Carry out survey to identify the exact location of the sites for installation of Tower/ BTS. Installation and commissioning of mobile towers and associated infrastructure in Arunachal Pradesh and Karbi-Anglong & Dima Hasao Districts of Assam within 18 months from the effective date of the agreement.
Operation and Maintenance of the Mast/Tower and infrastructure created and provision of mobile services compliant with the terms and conditions of the License Agreement signed with Department of Telecom(DoT),for a period of five years from the date of commissioning of respective site.
This Agreement will remain valid for six and a half (6 1/2) years (1.5 years for Implementation and 05 years for Operation and Maintenance)from the Effective Date unless revoked earlier for any reason whatsoever.