USOF extends 25000 Wi-Fi hotspots agreement with BSNL; approves relocation of 2K Wi-Fi hotspots

The Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) last month extended its agreement with state-owned telecom service provider Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) for setting up 25000 Wi-Fi hotspots at rural telephone exchanges. USOF exercising its powers conferred under clause number 2.8.1 of Section III – General Conditions of the agreement has extended the duration of the agreement between the two parties.

As per the existing clause, the agreement was supposed to be valid for a period of 42 months from the effective date unless revoked earlier for reasons as specified elsewhere. USOF’s amended clause now states that the agreement shall be valid for a period of 5 years, 6 months, 23 days i.e up to 31st December 2022 from the effective date unless revoked earlier for reasons as specified elsewhere.

USOF has left all the terms and conditions of the agreement unchanged. USOF additionally has approved the relocation of 2000 Wi-Fi hotspots at rural exchanges out of 25,000 Wi-Fi hotspots at rural telephone exchanges.

USOF recently signed an agreement with state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) for the hiring of 10 Gbps international bandwidth for internet connectivity to Agartala from Bangladesh Submarine Cable Company Limited (BSCCL), Bangladesh via Cox Bazar/Kuakata.