DoT is planning to extend the scope of the USO Fund to include broadband services in the rural areas.

DoT is planning to extend the scope of the USO Fund to include broadband services in the rural areas. To this end, it has asked service providers for their opinion on several issues: what methodology should be used to allocate the funds; should the service be fixed, nomadic or mobile; what speed should be offered ?? 512 kbps or 2 Mbps; and why should internet service providers (ISPs) not be included in the bidding process. DoT is of the view that broadband connections should be provided within a 10 km radius of all block headquarters in the country. It is targeting a minimum speed of 512 kbps, and has proposed that users be charged only an annual rental.