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” 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. 

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.