(a) whether the Government proposes to allocate funds from Universal Service Obligation Funds (USOF) to mobile companies for providing telecom services in the remote areas of the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the total funds allocated to various mobile companies from these funds during each of the last three years and the current year; and
(d) the State-wise number of villages, provided with telecom facilities under the USOF?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS &
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)
(a) to (c) Yes Madam. Subsidies are provided to mobile companies for mobile connectivity in inaccessible, rural and remote areas of the country including North Eastern Region, Left Wing Extremism Affected areas, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep from Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF). Subsidy disbursed to various Mobile companies from USOF under different projects during the last three years and current year is enclosed as Annexure-A.
(d) The State-wise number of villages, provided with telecom facilities under the USOF is enclosed as Annexure-B.