COMPLETED SCHEMES/PROJECTS

Rural Wire Line Broadband

The Rural Wireline Broadband Scheme was designed to provide wire-line broadband connectivity to rural and remote areas by leveraging the existing rural exchanges infrastructure and copper wire-line network. This scheme is being implemented at pan-India level. The objective is to make the rural and remote areas broadband enabled by facilitating the service providers in creating Broadband.

Projects

Rural Wire Line Broadband

The Rural Wireline Broadband Scheme was launched to provide broadband connectivity to rural & remote areas, at a speed of atleast 512 kbps, with a capacity to deliver data, voice and video services in a fixed mode. The scheme envisages providing wire-line broadband connectivity to institutional users, such as Gram Panchayats, Higher Secondary Schools and Public Health Centres, as well as individual users, located in the villages, by leveraging the existing rural exchanges infrastructure and copper wire-line network. This scheme is being implemented at a pan-India level. The objective is to make the rural and remote areas broadband enabled by facilitating the service providers in creating broadband.

Universal Service Obligation (USO) Fund signed an agreement with BSNL on 20.01.2009, with a validity period of nine years. Under this scheme, BSNL was supposed to provide 888,832 wire-line broadband connections to individual users and government institutions and set up 28,672 kiosks over a period of six years, i.e., by 2015 (extended by one year from the original target of January 2014).

The subsidy disbursement was provided for (i) broadband connections, Customer Premises Equipment (CPE), computer/computing devices (ii) setting up of kiosks for public access to broadband services. The estimated subsidy outflow under the scheme was Rs 1500 crore.

Amarnath

The project was envisaged to create telecom infrastructure for providing mobile services along the route of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra.

Projects

Amarnath

The project was approved for developing network infrastructure and provioding high quality mobile services along the route of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra. The subsidy for capital and operating expenses net of revenue incurred on the project by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) each year since 2010, was provisioned to be funded by the Universal Services Obligation Fund (USOF).

Department of Telecommunications (DoT) agreed to disburse an amount of Rs 6.91 crore to BSNL from 2010 to 2015 and as per the provision made under Rule 525, Sub-Rule 2, Clause III, Item d, of the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2015 that came into force on 12.05.2010.

Sanchar Shakti

“Sanchar Shakti” was launched as a programme of pilot projects aimed at facilitating women Self Help Group (SHG) members with the access to ICT enabled services and their contribution towards ICT enabling services.

Projects

Sanchar Shakti

“Sanchar Shakti” is a programme of pilot projects aimed at facilitating women Self Help Group (SHG) members with the access to ICT enabled services and their contribution towards ICT enabling services.

The projects under the scheme comprises: a) provisioning of subsidized mobile Value Added Services (mVAS) subscriptions to SHG members which are valid for at least a year, b) setting up of SHG members run mobile repair centers in rural areas, c) setting up of SHG run modem repair centers in rural areas, and, d) setting up of SHG run solar-based mobile phone or fixed wireless terminal (phones) charging centres in rural areas.

A total of 15,050 women members of different SHGs were targeted under the scheme and were to be covered under the mobile VAS projects. The projects identified and implemented under the programme will contribute to women empowerment through connectivity, information, skills, increased revenue and employment opportunities for rural women through better access to information and markets and their participation in running local repair facilities or charging centres.

Village Public Telephone

The project entails installation of new Village Public Telephones (VPTs) in replacement of Multi Access Radio Relay (MARR) VPTs followed by their operation & maintenance.

Projects

PROVISION OF VPTs IN UNCOVERED VILLAGES (Phase I)

The project encompassed the provisioning, operation and maintenance of Village Public Terminals (VPTs) in uncovered villages. The project was effective with effect to 10.11.2004 and was valid for 8 years. The subsidy support was extended to a maximum period of 5 (five) years from the date the VPT is installed and made functional.

The project had the provisdion of changing the location of VPTs to provide better access to the public within the geographical boundaries of the same village. However, no subsidy support was extended for relocating the VPTs by Universal Service Obligation (USO) Fund against the expenditure incurred on relocation. The USP was responsible for provisioning and operationalising of necessary equipment and systems, treatment of subscriber complaints, collection of call charges and the issue of receipt thereof, and attending to claims and damages arising out of operations.

VPTs MARR B

The project entails installation of new Village Public Terminals (VPTs) between 01.04.02 and 30.06.03 in replacement of Multi Access Radio Relay (MARR) VPTs followed by their operation & maintenance. M/s BSNL was the Universal Service Provider (USP) of the project. The agreement with BSNL was signed in March 2004. The project was made effective on 1st April 2002 with a validity of 8 years and 3 months from 01.04.2002.

The subsidy was payable as and when MARR VPT was replaced with a functional VPT made functional. The Universal Service Provider could change the location of VPTs to provide better access to the public within the same village. However no subsidy support was extended by Universal Service Obligation (USO) Fund for relocating the VPTs, against the expenditure incurred on relocation.

The USP was responsible for the provision and operation of necessary equipment and systems, treatment of subscriber complaints, collection of call charges and the issue of receipt thereof, & attending to claims and damages arising out of operations.

VPTs MARR A

The project entails installation of new Village Public Terminals (VPTs) after 30.06.2003 in replacement of Multi Access Radio Relay (MARR) VPTs followed by their operation and maintenance. M/s BSNL was the Universal Service Provider (USP) for the project and the agreement was signed in September 2003. The project was made effective from 01.07.2003 with a validity of 9 years.

The subsidy for the project was payable as and when MARR VPT was replaced by a fully functional VPT and was eligible for subsidy support upto 7 yrs from the date of replacement of MARR VPT. The Universal Service Provider could also change the location of VPTs to provide better access to the public within the same village.However, no subsidy support was extended for relocating the VPTs by Universal Service Obligation (USO) Fund against the expenditure incurred on relocation.

The USP was responsible for the provision and operation of necessary equipment and systems, treatment of subscriber complaints, collection of call charges and the issue of receipt thereof, and attending to claims and damages arising out of operations.

O&M of VPTs

The project entails provisioning and operation of necessary equipment and systems, treatment of subscriber complaints, collection of call charges and the issue of receipt thereof, & attending to claims and damages arising out of operations. The project was made effective on 28.03.2003 with validity of 7 years.

The subsidy under this agreement is payable from the date of operation and maintenance of VPTs or 1.4.2002, whichever is later, till the duration of the agreement. Multi Access Radio Relay (MARR) VPTs, on their replacement were not be eligible for subsidy from Universal Service Obligation (USO) Fund.

The Universal Service Provider could change the location of VPTs to provide better access to the public within the same village. However no payments were extended for relocating the VPTs from Universal Service Obligation (USO) Fund on the expenditure incurred on relocation.

Mobile Infrastructure Scheme

The scheme was envisaged for setting up and managing infrastructure sites and provisioning of mobile services in specified rural and remote areas of India.

Projects

Mobile Infrastructure Scheme

This agreement aims to set up and manage infrastructure sites and provision mobile services in specified rural and remote areas and is divided into two parts. Part - A of the Scheme is for setting up and managing infrastructure sites, and Part - B provides mobile services.

The infrastructure provider (IP) was responsible for setting up, operationalising and maintaining infrastructure sites in the specified cluster(s) for the whole period of the agreement. The IP was suppose to provide the following infratrsucture components: Land, Tower, Electrical Connection, Power Backup, Boundary Wall and Security Cabin.

The infrastructure created was to be owned by the IP and the created infrastructure was provisioned to be shared with a maximum of 3 Universal Service Providers (USPs) to provide mobile services by installing necessary equipment. The project was made effective on 1st June 2007 and was valid for six and half years.

Rural Community Phone

The project was launched for installation of Rural Community Phones (RCPs) in uncovered villages with population exceeding 2000 (as per 1991 Census).

Projects

RURAL COMMUNITY PHONES (RCPs)

The project was launched for installation, commissioning and maintenance of Rural Community Phones (RCPs) in uncovered villages with population exceeding 2000 (as per 1991 Census). The project was effective from 30th September 2004 and was valid for 8 years.

The subsidy support for the project was extended up to a maximum period of 5( five) years from the date the RCP is installed and made functional. The Universal Service Provider may change the location of RCPs to provide better access to the public within the geographical boundaries of the same village. No subsidy support for relocating the Village Public Telephones (VPTs) was made from USOF on the expenditure incurred on relocation.

The USP shall be solely responsible for the provision and operation of necessary equipment and systems, treatment of subscriber complaints, collection of call charges and the issue of receipt thereof, & attending to claims and damages arising out of operations.

Rural Direct Exchange Lines

The project was designed to facilitate operation and maintenance of Rural Household Direct Exchange Lines (RDELs) installed in the specified Short Distance Charging Areas (SDCAs).

Projects

RDEL P

One-time subsidy support provided under Universal Service Obligation (USO) Fund in respect of about 90.5 lakh Rural Direct Exchange Lines (RDELs) installed prior to 1.4.2002. The support from USOF has been given for the period 1.4.2002 to 31.1.2004 (twenty two months) towards the difference between the TRAI prescribed rental and rental charged by the USP from the RDEL subscribers.

In pursuance of TRAI recommendations dated 27th March, 2008 support is being extended to BSNL for rural wire lines installed prior to 01.04.2002 for a period of three years commencing 18th July, 2008. (Date of notification of enabling amendment to the Indian Telegraph Rules). The quantum of support shall be Rs. 2000 Crores per annum.

RDEL A-X

The project scope entails provisioning and maintenance of Rural Household Direct Exchange Lines (RDELs) in specified Short Distance Charging Areas (SDCAs) installed with effect from 01.04.2005. The validity of the agreement was for 5 years from the effective date of 01.04.2005.

Subsidy was deemed payable towards RDELs installed between 1.4.2005 and 31.3.2007. The equated annual subsidy wherever payable was to be given up to a maximum period of validity of the agreement. The USP received subsidy only for net additions of RDELs in a local exchange area, ie., number of RDELs added after making adjustments of RDELs closed permanently on account of non-payment or shift out of the local exchange area.

Provisions were provided to shift RDELs within the concerned Short Distance Charging Area (SDCA) during the validity of the agreement as per the demand of the customer. No subsidy support towards shifting of RDELs was provided to the USP.

The USP was responsible for provisioning and operation of necessary equipment and systems, treatment of subscriber complaints, collection of call charges and the issue of receipt thereof, and attending to claims and damages arising out of operations.

RDEL B

The project was designed to facilitate operation and maintenance of Rural Household Direct Exchange Lines (RDELs) installed between 01.04.2002 and 31.3.2005 in the specified Short Distance Charging Areas (SDCAs). The project was effective from 01.04.2002 and was valid for 8 years.

PCOs, RCPs and WLL Mobile including other mobile connections were not qualified as RDELs under the project. RDELs installed on landlines as also on any wireless technology and having fixed wireless terminals (FWTs) as subscriber end equipment qualify for subsidy support under the project.

Under the project, payment of a one-time front-loaded subsidy (FLS) was made only for net additions of RDELs in a local exchange area. The subsidy was payable towards RDELs installed between 01.04.2002 and 31.03.2005. The equated annual subsidy, wherever payable, was to be given up to a maximum period of 5 years from the date of installation of these RDELs.

The USP was responsible for the provision and operation of necessary equipment and systems, treatment of subscriber complaints, collection of call charges and the issue of receipt thereof, and attending to claims and damages arising out of operations.

Solar Mobile Charging Facilities

The scheme is to provide solar photo voltaic based mobile phone charging facilities across 5000 select villages by augmenting Centralised Solar Charging Stations (CSCS) under the Lighting A Billion Lives (LaBL) scheme of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).

Projects

SOLAR MOBILE CHARGING FACILITIES

The project was launched to provide solar photo voltaic based mobile phone charging facilities across 5000 villages by augmenting centralized Solar Charging Stations (CSCS). USOF signed an agreement with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) on 29.04.2010 for four years. As per agreement, TERI was entrusted with the responsibility of establishing the charging facilities in villages, which were either un-electrified, or electrified with per day electricity supply of less than 6 hours.

Before installing the charging facilities, TERI verified the availability of the mobile users in the select villages. TERI was solely responsible for the provision and operation of necessary equipment and systems, training and handholding of local institutions, treatment of customer complaints, collection of usage charges and issuing of receipts if any, thereof, attending to claims and damages arising out of his operations. The tariff packages were prescribed in the agreement signed.

Mobile Tower

Projects

Left Wing Extremism (LWE) Phase I

The project for provisioning of mobile services (2G based) in 2199 locations in left wing extremism (LWE) affected areas was approved on 20.08.2014. The work was awarded to M/s Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) on a nomination basis. Under the agreement (30.09.2014), Universal Service Obligation (USO) Fund shouldered the capital expenditure for 1836 sites and operational cost for 2199 sites for five years (1836 new towers and 363 existing towers which are already installed by M/s Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited in these areas). Subsequently, Ministry of Communications (MOC) and IT in June 2016 approved the provisioning of mobile services for additional 156 sites under the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) agreement.