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| - | ===== Operator Licensing ===== | + | =====Operator Licensing===== |
| + | The operator licensing framework in India dates back to The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885. Section 4 of the Telegraph Act gives the Central Government the power to grant license //to any person to establish, maintain or work a telegraph within any part of India.// ((See Section 4 of [[https:// | ||
| + | Although the provision for licensing was always present in the Telegraph Act, the Government had complete monopoly in telecommunications until the early 1990s. It was only in 1992 that the government first allowed licensing in the telecom sector. Listed below in the table are the major landmarks in the history of telecom licensing in India. | ||
| - | ==== Technical and Administrative Requirements ==== | + | **Table: Major Landmarks in the History of Telecom Licensing in India** ((Adapted from https:// |
| - | ==== Licensing | + | ^Year^Event in the History of Telecom |
| + | |1991| The government allowed private telecom companies to manufacture telecom switches for telephone exchange.| | ||
| + | |1992| The Department of Telecommunication (DoT) invited bids for licences for cellular service across the four metros. The DoT offered two licences per metro city.| | ||
| + | |1994| The Government brought National Telecom Policy which laid out the criteria for entry of private operators.| | ||
| + | |1995| DoT allowed bidding for cellular licences and wireline licences. Spectrum was bundled with the telecom service provider licence. For the implementation of the licensing scheme, the country was divided into 21 circles (excluding four metros) and it was categorized into circles namely A, B and C on the basis of the potential of the circle to generate revenue.| | ||
| + | |1998| Internet services were rolled out in 1995 by Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (VSNL). In November, 1998, the government opened it up to the private sectors.| | ||
| + | |1999| The New Telecom Policy, 1999 allowed the migration of the licensees from a Fixed Licence Fee Regime to a Revenue Arrangement Scheme. Under the new scheme a licence fee was collected as proportional tax on the service provider’s revenue. Previously, there were two operators in each circle and the 1999 Policy allowed the government to open it up to the private sectors.| | ||
| + | |2000| The government issued a licence for national long distance telephony (NLDO). There was no restriction on the number of operators to whom the licence was granted. The licence was issued for a period of 20 years on a non-exclusive basis and could be extended upto a period of 10 years once government as the third operator in the circle.| | ||
| + | |2001| Licence for basic telephone services using wireless in local loop (WLL). This was the first time that the first-come-first-serve scheme was implemented for issuing licences.| | ||
| + | |2002| DoT issued licenses to private operators for International Long Distance Telephony (ILD) services. | | ||
| + | |2003| Unified Access Service Licensing (UASL) regime was introduced by DoT on the recommendation of the TRAI. | ||
| + | |2007| DoT allowed issuing of licences for operating on dual technologies that are CDMA and GSM. DoT also allowed a single licence for Internet Service Providers (ISPs), but restrictions were put on VoIP. | | ||
| + | |2012| National Telecom Policy, 2012 introduced Unified Licensing Regime. Under the regime, service operators can provide converged services. The spectrum has been delinked from the licence.| | ||
| - | ===== Access | + | <callout type=" |
| + | NTP 2012 listed down as one of its objectives | ||
| + | </ | ||
| - | ==== Technical | + | Telecom licensing in India underwent a major transformation with the implementation of the “Unified License (UL)” regime in 2013. This regime was implemented to achieve one of the objectives envisaged in NTP 2012: //One Nation - One License across services |
| - | === Licensed === | + | In NTP 2012, it was recognized that the evolution from analog to digital technology has facilitated the conversion of voice, data and video to the digital form, and these are now increasingly being rendered through single networks bringing about a convergence in networks, services and also devices. ((https:// |
| + | |||
| + | <callout type=" | ||
| + | The preamble of NTP 2012 states: //“it is now imperative to move towards convergence between various services, networks, platforms, technologies and overcome the existing segregation of licensing, registration and regulatory mechanisms in these areas to enhance affordability, | ||
| + | </ | ||
| - | == Access Networks == | + | The UL regime replaced the earlier regime in which there were separate licenses for different telecommunication services. In this regime, telco players can offer all telecommunication services under one license; service authorisation for different telecom services will have to be done separately under UL, however. |
| - | ^ **Operator** | + | Listed below are the basic features of Unified Licenses ((Reproduced from [[https:// |
| - | | XYZcom | + | |
| - | == PtP Networks == | + | - The allocation of spectrum is delinked from the licenses and has to be obtained separately as per prescribed procedure. At present, spectrum in 800/ |
| + | - Authorisation under Unified License comprises for any one or more services listed below: | ||
| + | - Unified License (All Services)* | ||
| + | - Access Service (Service Area-wise) | ||
| + | - Internet Service (Category-A with All India jurisdiction) | ||
| + | - Internet Service (Category-B with jurisdiction in a Service Area) | ||
| + | - Internet Service (Category-C with jurisdiction in a Secondary Switching Area) | ||
| + | - National Long Distance (NLD) Service | ||
| + | - International Long Distance (ILD) Service | ||
| + | - Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) Service | ||
| + | - Public Mobile Radio Trunking Service (PMRTS) Service | ||
| + | - Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) Closed User Group (CUG) Service | ||
| + | - INSAT MSS-Reporting (MSS-R) Service | ||
| + | - Resale of International private Leased Circuit (IPLC) Service | ||
| - | === License-Exempt === | + | (* Authorization for All Services UL covers all services listed in 2(b) in all service areas, 2(c), 2(f) to 2(l) above ) |
| - | == Access Networks == | ||
| - | ^ **Frequency** | ||
| - | | // | ||
| - | | 2400 – 2483.5 MHz | '' | ||
| - | | // | ||
| - | | 5150-5250 MHz | '' | ||
| - | | 5250-5350 MHz | '' | ||
| - | | 5470-5725 MHz | '' | ||
| - | | 5725-5800 MHz | '' | ||
| - | == PtP Networks == | + | While introducing the UL regime, DoT decided to implement it in two phases. In the first phase, spectrum was delinked from license. In the second phase, the concept of “Virtual Network Operators (VNO)” was introduced to facilitate delinking of licensing of networks from the delivery of services. (( [[https:// |
| - | ^ **Frequency** | + | UL (VNO) is a regime parallel to UL. It offers all authorisations as available in the UL. In addition, it offers an authorisation for the ‘Access Services Category B’ wherein the service area is a District of a State/Union Territory. (( [[https://www.trai.gov.in/consultation-paper-enabling-unbundling-different-layers-through-differential-licensing| TRAI Consultation Paper on Enabling Unbundling of Different Layers Through Differential Licensing ]] )) |
| - | | //2.4GHz// | || | + | |
| - | | 2400 – 2483.5 MHz | '' | + | |
| - | | // | + | |
| - | | 5150-5250 MHz | '' | + | |
| - | | 5250-5350 MHz | '' | + | |
| - | | 5470-5725 MHz | '' | + | |
| - | | 5725-5800 MHz | '' | + | |
| + | Listed below are the basic features of UL (VNO): | ||
| + | - VNOs are treated as extension of Network Service Operators (NSOs) or TSPs. They will not be allowed to install equipment interconnecting with network of other NSOs. | ||
| + | - Applicant can apply for UL (VNO) along with VNO authorisation for any one or more services below: | ||
| + | * Unified License VNO (All Services) | ||
| + | * Access Services Category B* (This is additional in case of UL (VNO), Other authorization categories are same as UL, thus not listed here) | ||
| - | === Secondary | + | <callout type=" |
| + | Licensing framework for internet services allows three options (options= authorization options available under UL/ UL(VNO) regime): Category-“A” (All India/ National), Category-“B” ( Telecom Circle/ Licensed Service Area), Category- | ||
| + | “C”. Thus, there is flexibility of area of operations through three different authorizations | ||
| + | </ | ||
| - | == Access Networks == | + | <callout type=" |
| - | == PtP Networks == | + | Is centralised procedure for granting ISP licenses suitable for local level entrepreneurs, |
| - | ==== Spectrum Fees / Costs ==== | + | </callout> |
| - | === Application === | ||
| - | === Annual === | ||
| - | === Auction === | ||
| - | ===== Backhaul ===== | + | |
| + | ====Technical and Administrative Requirements==== | ||
| + | UL and UL(VNO) can be applied by Indian companies except for Access Service Category B authorisation under UL(VNO) which can be applied for by Indian companies, partnership firms, proprietorship firms, Shops and establishment and legal persons. | ||
| + | One company can have only one UL/ UL(VNO). However, the applicant company/ | ||
| + | apply for authorisation for more than one service and service area subject to fulfillment of all the conditions of entry. | ||
| + | |||
| + | <callout type=" | ||
| + | Some important resources for UL and UL (VNO) | ||
| + | * [[ https:// | ||
| + | * [[ https:// | ||
| + | * List of documents required for grant of UL/ authorization for additional services under UL can be found [[https:// | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ====Licensing Fees==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | According to [[ https:// | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | The table below summarizes processing fees, entry fees, Bank Guarantees, Minimum Paid Up Capital, networth requirements | ||
| + | |||
| + | **Table: Unified Licence: Details of Minimum required Equity, Minimum Net Worth, Entry Fee, PBG, FBG, and Application Processing Fee for various service authorizations** ((Annexure I, DoT Guidelines on UL 20-281/ | ||
| + | |||
| + | ^Sl No. ^Service ^Minimum Equity in INR(USD)^Minimum Net Worthin INR(USD)^ Entry Feein INR(USD)^PBG in INR(USD)^ FBG in INR(USD)^ Application Processing Fee in INR(USD)^ | ||
| + | |1| UL(All services)|2, | ||
| + | |Service Authorisation-wise Requirements|||||||| | ||
| + | |1|Access Service (Telecom Circle /Metro Area)|25, | ||
| + | |2|NLD (National Area)|25, | ||
| + | |3|ILD (National Area)|25, | ||
| + | |4|VSAT (National Area)|Nil |Nil|3,000k (USD 39, | ||
| + | |5|PMRTS (Telecom circle/ | ||
| + | |6|GMPCS (National Area)|25, | ||
| + | |7|INSAT MSS-R (National Area) |Nil|Nil|3, | ||
| + | |8| ISP-A (National Area)|Nil |Nil |3,000k (USD 39,973) |4,000k (USD 53,297) |200k (USD 2,665) |50k (USD 666)| | ||
| + | |9|ISP " | ||
| + | |10|ISP " | ||
| + | |11|Resale IPLC(National Area)|25, | ||
| + | |||
| + | The table below summarizes processing fees, entry fees, Bank Guarantees, Minimum Paid Up Capital, networth requirements | ||
| + | |||
| + | **Table: Unified Licence (VNO) : Details of Minimum required Equity, Minimum Net Worth, Entry Fee, and Application Processing Fee for various service authorizations** | ||
| + | |||
| + | ^Sl. No.^Service Authorization(s)(VNO)^Minimum Equity in INR(USD)^ Minimum Net Worth in INR(USD) ^Entry Fee in INR(USD)^ FBG in INR(USD)^ Application Processing Fee in INR(USD)^ | ||
| + | |1|UL (VNO- All Services)|1, | ||
| + | |2|Access Service (Telecom Circle/ Metro Area)|10, | ||
| + | |3|NLD (National Area)|10, | ||
| + | |4|ILD (National Area)|10, | ||
| + | |5|VSAT (National Area)|Nil |Nil |1,500k (USD 19,987)| 300k (USD 3,997)| 50k (USD 666)| | ||
| + | |6|PMRTS (Telecom Circle / Metro)|Nil |Nil |25k (USD 333) |10k (USD 133)| 15k (USD 200)| | ||
| + | |7|GMPCS (National Area)|Nil |Nil |25k (USD 333) |10k (USD 133)| 15k (USD 200)| | ||
| + | |8|INSAT MSS-R (National Area)|Nil|Nil |1,500k (USD 19,987)| 20k (USD 266)| 50k (USD 666)| | ||
| + | |9|ISP “A” (National Area)|Nil| Nil |1,500k (USD 19,987)| 100k (USD 1,332)| 50k (USD 666)| | ||
| + | |10|ISP “B” (Telecom Circle/ Metro Area) |Nil | Nil |100k (USD 1,332)| 10k (USD 133)| 15k (USD 200)| | ||
| + | |11|ISP “C” (SSA)|Nil | Nil | 10k (USD 133)| 1k (USD 13)| 10k (USD 133)| | ||
| + | |12|Resale of IPLC (National Area)|12, | ||
| + | |13|Access Services Category B (Districts)|-|500k (USD 6,662)| 165k (USD 2,199)| 20k (USD 266)| 10k (USD 133)| | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | =====Access to Spectrum===== | ||
| + | |||
| + | Created in 1952, Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing (WPC) of the Ministry of Communications serves as the National Radio Regulatory Authority of India. It is responsible for frequency spectrum management in India. (( https:// | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ====Technical and Administrative Requirements==== | ||
| + | |||
| + | National Digital Communication Policy (NDCP) 2018 recognizes spectrum as a key natural resource for public benefit to achieve India’s socio economic goals; it strives to ensure transparency in allocation and optimise availability and utilisation of spectrum. ((See Section 1.2 on p.16 of 24 in | ||
| + | |||
| + | Providing a broad regulatory framework, NFAP 2018 identifies which frequency bands are available for different radiocommunication services including cellular mobile service, Wi-fi, sound and television broadcasting, | ||
| + | |||
| + | <callout type=" | ||
| + | The latest frequency allocation table of India can be found in National Frequency Allocation Table (NFAP) 2018. Follow [[https:// | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ===Licensed=== | ||
| + | |||
| + | The year 2010 represented a watershed in spectrum management policies in India. (( [[https:// | ||
| + | |||
| + | From 2012 to 2016, DoT conducted multiple rounds of spectrum auctions through Simultaneous Multiple Round Ascending (SMRA) method. The outcome of each round is summarised in below table: | ||
| + | |||
| + | **Table: Outcome of Spectrum Auctions from 2010- 16** ((Adapted from [[https:// | ||
| + | |||
| + | ^Sl.No^Year of auction ^Bands auctioned^Total Spectrum Sold(MHz)^Percentage of Spectrum Sold^ Outcome^ | ||
| + | |1| 2010| 2100 MHz (3G), 2300 MHz|465, 1320|100, 100|Both bands were completely sold.| | ||
| + | |2| 2012| 1800 MHz and 800 MHz|127.5|32.69| Only 1800 MHz was (partially)sold.| | ||
| + | |3| 2013| 800 MHz,900 MHz and 1800 MHz|30|15.38| Only 800 MHz was (partially)sold.| | ||
| + | |4| 2014| 900 MHz and 1800 MHz|353.2|81.91| Both bands were (moderately)sold.| | ||
| + | |5| 2015| 800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2100 MHz|418.25|88.85|All bands were (moderately) sold.| | ||
| + | |6| 2016|700 MHz,800 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2300 MHz, and 2500 MHz|964.8|40.97| All bands, except 700 MHz and 900 MHz, were (partially)sold.| | ||
| + | |||
| + | <callout type=" | ||
| + | | ||
| + | Spectrum holding data sheet in this [[https:// | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ===License Exempt=== | ||
| + | |||
| + | While Section 3 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act prohibits possession of wireless telegraph apparatus unless a license has been issued in that regard, Section 4 of the said Act also provides Central Government the power to exempt persons from certain provisions of this act. | ||
| + | |||
| + | As discussed earlier, NFAP provides a broad regulatory framework and identifies which frequency bands are available for different radiocommunication services. NFAP 2018, which is the most recent NFAP of India, provides for certain license exempt bands as well which have been approved by the Central Government through various rules and notifications. | ||
| + | |||
| + | <callout type=" | ||
| + | The complete list of wireless equipments exempted from licensing can be found in Annex of [[https:// | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | |||
| + | Different telecom policies brought out by the government have also stressed on the need for expanding share of license-exempt bands. Broadband Policy 2004, in order to accelerate growth of broadband and internet initiated the process of delicensing 2.40-2.48 GHz, 2.40- 2.4835 GHz, 5.15-5.35 GHz, 5.25-5.35 GHz, 5.15-5.25 GHz. It also talked about exploring and identifying alternative spectrum bands which are not in high usage and could be deployed for Broadband Services. ((Section (3.1)(e), [[https:// | ||
| + | |||
| + | NTP 2012 lists // | ||
| + | |||
| + | **Table: Wireless Equipments exempted from Licensing** | ||
| + | ^S.No^Frequency Range(MHz)^Title of the Rule^GSR No^ | ||
| + | |1|Use of Low Power Equipment in the frequency band 2.4 GHz to 2.4835 GHz (Exemption from Licensing Requirement) Rules, 2005|Use of Low Power Equipment in the frequency band 2.4 GHz to 2.4835 GHz (Exemption from Licensing Requirement) Rules, 2005| | ||
| + | |2|5150 - 5250 MHz, 5250 - 5350 MHz, 5470-5725 MHz, 5725 - 5875 MHz|Use of Wireless Access Systems (WAS) including Radio Local Area Network (RLAN) in 5GHz (Exemption from Licensing Requirement) Rules, 2018|GSR No. 1048(E) dated 18- Oct.2018 and subsequent amendments, if any.| | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ===Secondary=== | ||
| + | |||
| + | Amongst the telecom policies brought out by the Central Government, only NTP 2012 explicitly mentions White Spaces in management of spectrum. One of the strategies listed in NTP 2012 is //to promote use of white spaces with low power devices, without causing harmful interference to the licensed applications in specific frequency bands by deployment of Software Defined Radios (SDRs), Cognitive Radios (CRs), etc. // (( See 4.9 in Section (IV) , [[https:// | ||
| + | |||
| + | <callout type=" | ||
| + | “It is observed that unlike developed countries, a major portion of the TV band spectrum is unutilized in India. The results show that even while using conservative parameters, in at least 56.27% areas in the country, all the 15 channels (100% of the TV band spectrum) are free!” (( Naik, G., Singhal, S., Kumar, A., & Karandikar, A. (2014, February). Quantitative assessment of TV white space in India. In 2014 Twentieth National Conference on Communications (NCC) (pp. 1-6). IEEE. )) | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | It is often argued that unused bands in TV UHF (TV White Spaces) can help to boost broadband connectivity in rural and remote areas, if deployed effectively. (( Viveka Bhandari (2018), [[https:// | ||
| + | |||
| + | However, despite the advantages which TVWS offers, it hasn’t seen any widespread deployment yet. This is partially because of the lack of regulation surrounding usage of TVWS in India. India lies in Region 3 of International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) Radio Regulations. According to this regulation fixed, mobile, and broadcasting services in TV UHF Band (470- 585 MHz) are permitted in India. (( [[https:// | ||
| + | The Government has also assigned this spectrum band in some cases, but it is solely for the purpose of carrying out experiments in TVWS technology. For example, eight licenses were issued by DoT in March 2016 to ERNET (an autonomous body under the Telecom Ministry), power equipment maker BHEL, IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Hyderabad, IIIT Bangalore, Tata Advanced Systems and Amrawati District Administration for the purpose of carrying out experiments in TVWS technology. | ||
| + | |||
| + | <callout type=" | ||
| + | |||
| + | Some of the projects in India are using TVWS to provide rural broadband connectivity. | ||
| + | * After being granted an experimental license to conduct experiments in the TV UHF band, the TV White Space group, IIT Bombay was the first in India to set up a pilot test-bed using TVWS technology for rural broadband access. ((http:// | ||
| + | * In 2015, Microsoft conducted pilots in Harisal village in Maharashtra, | ||
| + | |||
| + | </ | ||
| + | ====Spectrum Applications, | ||
| + | |||
| + | Central Government prescribes the spectrum usage charges for Telecom Service Providers having License/ Authorization to provide Access Services in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 4 of the Indian Telegraph Act 1885. | ||
| + | In the present scenario, companies pay spectrum usage charges (SUC) somewhere in between 3-5 percent of Adjusted Gross Revenue. (( [[ https:// | ||
| + | |||
| + | <callout type=" | ||
| + | * [[https:// | ||
| + | * [[https:// | ||
| + | * [[https:// | ||
| + | * [[https:// | ||
| + | * [[https:// | ||
| + | * [[https:// | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | |||
| + | =====Backhaul===== | ||
| + | |||
| + | ‘Bharat Net’ project, earlier known as National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN), is a flagship project of Government of India which aims to connect 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | <callout type=" | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Bharat Net fibre can be utilized by service providers in two ways: (( Reproduced from http:// | ||
| + | |||
| + | - **Bandwidth Utilization**: | ||
| + | - ** Dark Fibre Utilization **: Service providers may also utilize the dark fiber on the new cable laid by BBNL between block and GPs, called incremental cable, for extending its services to GPs. The dark fiber is available from Fiber Point of Interconnect (with the existing fiber) to the GPs. | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | |||
| + | <callout type=" | ||
| + | * The tariff for Bharat Net bandwidth and dark fibre can be found [[http:// | ||
| + | * The detailed procedure for Bharat Net connectivity can be found [[http:// | ||
| + | * [[ http:// | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Government of India, from time to time, has come up with various policies and regulations to strengthen and improve access to backhaul. | ||
| + | |||
| + | NDCP 2018 emphasizes on enhancing the backhaul capacity to support the development of next generation networks like 5G. (( See (d)(ii) in Section 2.2 , p.20 of 24 [[https:// | ||
| + | |||
| + | In order to facilitate sharing of telecom infrastructure, | ||
| + | |||
| + | With regard to internet exchange points (IXPs), the following table provides the list of IXPs operating in India. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ** Table: Internet Exchange Points in India** (( Adapted from https:// | ||
| + | |||
| + | ^ Name of IXP^ Website ^ Locations^ | ||
| + | |NIXI| http:// | ||
| + | |Mumbai IX|https:// | ||
| + | |Extreme IX|https:// | ||
| + | |AMS-IX India| https:// | ||
| + | |IIFON| http:// | ||
| + | |BharatIX| https:// | ||
| + | |||
| + | Of the IXPs listed above, | ||
| ===== Gender ===== | ===== Gender ===== | ||
| + | India has a stark gender divide when it comes to accessing the internet. According to [[ https:// | ||
| + | |||
| + | Some of the policies brought out by the Government have tried to address this issue of digital gender divide. The National Digital Communication Policy (NDCP) 2018 lists down a ‘Connect India’ strategy which provides for inclusion of uncovered areas and digitally deprived segments of society by channelizing the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) for marginalized communities, | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Draft National Policy for Women (NPW) 2016 acknowledges that the global growth in technology and information systems can have an impact on the general populace, and women in particular, in unique and different ways. ((para 1.4 in Section 1. Introduction, | ||
| + | |||
| + | <callout type=" | ||
| + | |||
| + | - Policies related to gender and women can be found [[ https:// | ||
| + | - All gender related legislations of India can be accessed from [[ https:// | ||
| + | - Guidelines with regard to gender, and women in particular can be found [[ https:// | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | |||
| + | =====Universal Service===== | ||
| + | |||
| + | The [[ https:// | ||
| + | |||
| + | <callout type=" | ||
| + | NTP 1999 explicitly mentioned Universal Service as an important objective: | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | |||
| + | NTP 1999 provided that a ‘Universal Access Levy (UAL)’ be raised from all operators under various licences to meet the resource requirement for Universal Service Obligation (USO). ((Section 6.0, [[ https:// | ||
| + | |||
| + | To further the objective enshrined in NTP 1999, DoT issued the guidelines for ‘Universal Service Support Policy’ in 2002 ((http:// | ||
| + | |||
| + | <callout type=" | ||
| + | | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | |||
| + | NTP 2012 laid the foundation for National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN), which is considered to be the most prominent service supported by USO. NTP 2012 provided that the optical fibre network will be laid up to the Village Panchayat by funding from the USOF. ((para 1.3 in Section IV , p.8 of 20, [[ http:// | ||
| + | |||
| + | NOFN is one example of a service supported by USOF. As per Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules 2004 (amended further in 2006 and 2008) , USOF supports a range of services segregated in six different streams. | ||
| + | |||
| + | **Table: Services Supported by USOF** ((Adapted from http:// | ||
| + | |||
| + | ^ Stream of Service^ Sub-Streams/ | ||
| + | |Stream-I: Provision of Public Access Service| (a) Operation and Maintenance of Village Public Telephones (VPT) in the revenue villages identified as per Census 1991 and Installation of VPTs in the additional revenue villages as per Census 2001; (b) Provision of Rural Community Phones (RCPs) after achieving the target of one VPT in every revenue village where in a village the population is more than 2000 and no public call office (PCO) exists, a second public phone shall be installed; | ||
| + | |Stream-II: Provision of Household Telephones in Rural and Remote Areas as may be Determined by the Central Government from Time to Time| (a) For rural household Direct Exchange Lines (RDELs) installed prior to 1st day of April, 2002, support towards the difference in rental actually charged from rural subscribers and rent prescribed by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) for such subscribers shall be reimbursed until such time the ADC prescribed by TRAI from time to time takes into account this difference. Also following the phasing out of the ADC Regime, support for a limited duration of three years for rural wire line RDELs installed prior to 01.04.02; | ||
| + | |Stream-III: | ||
| + | |Stream-IV: Provision of Broadband Connectivity to rural & remote areas in a phased manner.|-|[[http:// | ||
| + | |Stream-V: Creation of General Infrastructure in Rural and Remote Areas for Development of Telecommunication facilities.| The items of general infrastructure to be taken up for development shall be determined by the Central Government from time to time.|[[http:// | ||
| + | |Stream-VI: Induction of new technological developments in the telecom sector in Rural and Remote Areas| Pilot projects to establish new technological developments in the telecom sector, which can be deployed in the Rural and Remote Areas, may be supported with the approval of the Central Government.| [[http:// | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | <callout type=" | ||
| + | About 49 per cent of the USOF still remains unused. Based on the latest figures (As on 31.07.2021) total accretion is Rs. 119121.34 cr, total disbursement is Rs. 60840.80 cr. , Potentially available fund Rs. 58280.54 cr. ((Source: http:// | ||
| + | </ | ||
| - | ===== Universal Service ===== | ||
| ===== Cooperatives ===== | ===== Cooperatives ===== | ||
| + | |||
| + | Cooperatives in India are not a new phenomenon: even though the formal cooperative structures came into existence post the passing of a law on cooperatives in 1904, the concept of cooperation and cooperative activities were already practiced in different regions of India. (( Section 44.1 of Chapter 44 [[ http:// | ||
| + | |||
| + | <callout type=" | ||
| + | |||
| + | The subject of cooperation was transferred to the (then) provinces under Government of India Act of 1919, and cooperatives remained a provincial subject in the subsequent Government of India Act of 1935. (( Para 1.1 in Section 1 of [[ https:// | ||
| + | |||
| + | <callout type=" | ||
| + | In the present legal framework, the item “Cooperative Societies” appears under entry 32 of the State List of the Constitution of India. </ | ||
| + | |||
| + | To administer cooperative societies having membership in more than one province, the British-India Government enacted the Multi-Unit Cooperative Societies Act, 1942. Post-Independence this act was replaced by the [[ http:// | ||
| + | |||
| + | <callout type=" | ||
| + | |||
| + | With regard to constitutional provisions related to cooperatives, | ||
| + | |||
| + | As cooperatives fall under the state list, each state in India has their own cooperative laws for governing cooperatives operating within the state. In the current legal framework, national cooperatives and cooperatives having multi-state operation are governed by the Central Act, whereas the cooperatives having the area of operation within the state are governed by the cooperative societies Act of the respective states. (( https:// | ||
| + | - Central Act: Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002 | ||
| + | - State laws for each of the 29 states. Example: Maharashtra has enacted ‘The Maharashtra Co-Operative Societies Act I960’ | ||
| + | |||
| + | For state cooperatives, | ||
| + | |||
| + | <callout type=" | ||
| + | Notably, India doesn’t have sector specific law for cooperatives.. This means that all types of cooperatives including agriculture, | ||
| + | |||
| + | In the most recent development around cooperatives in India, the ruling dispensation led by Narendra Modi has announced the creation of a separate ‘ Ministry of Cooperation’ for realizing the vision of “Sahkar se Samriddhi” i.e. prosperity through cooperation. (( https:// | ||
| + | |||
| + | <callout type=" | ||
| + | </ | ||
| ===== Resources / References ===== | ===== Resources / References ===== | ||
| + | | [TWITTER: | ||
| == Coding examples == | == Coding examples == | ||
| Line 146: | Line 431: | ||
| ---- struct data ---- | ---- struct data ---- | ||
| + | countryprofile.regName : Telecom Regulatory Authority of India | ||
| + | countryprofile.regAcronym : TRAI | ||
| + | countryprofile.regUrl : https:// | ||
| + | countryprofile.regTwitter : https:// | ||
| + | countryprofile.regEmail : ap@trai.gov.in | ||
| + | countryprofile.minName : Department of Telecommunications, | ||
| + | countryprofile.minAcronym : DoT | ||
| + | countryprofile.minUrl : http:// | ||
| + | countryprofile.minTwitter : https:// | ||
| + | countryprofile.minEmail : mosc-office@gov.in | ||
| ---- | ---- | ||