DoT has invited bids from private telecom operators to set up wireless broadband infrastructure in rural areas

DoT has invited bids from private telecom operators to set up wireless broadband infrastructure in rural areas. Companies selected through the competitive bidding route will get financial support from the Universal Service Obligation (USO) Fund. The move comes close on the heels of all private operators criticising the government for entering into an MoU with BSNL to provide wireless broadband at 29,000 rural exchanges throughout the country with USO Fund support of Rs 18 billion.