More about USOF India’s Device Subsidy Scheme

The Economics Times today reports that the Telecom Commission of India has approved a Rs 50 billion scheme to provide subsidised mobile phones to specially identified beneficiaries in rural areas. the original proposal was to provide these to workers enrolled in the state funded MNERGA (employment guarantee scheme). However it now appears that a more detailed mechanism for identification of beneficiaries is to be determined. further, the TC has also raised objections about choice of the incumbent operator on nomination basis. These are in my view positive developments. Please see my comments under USOF India. The last post on this subject was titled, “Reactions to USOF India’s Device Subsidy Schemes & the Confusion over Universal Service Funding”