USO

DIGITAL BHARAT NIDHI (DBN) – HIMACHAL PRADESH CIRCLE

1. Overview and Functioning of DBN

Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), formerly the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), aims to bridge the digital divide by extending affordable mobile, internet and telecommunication services to rural, remote and underserved areas where commercial considerations may not encourage adequate investment. The fund is supported by a Universal Service Levy of up to 5% of telecom operators’ Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR), as applicable under the prescribed rules.

The Office of the Controller of Communication Accounts (CCA), Himachal Pradesh, is responsible for verification and processing of eligible subsidy claims, inspection and monitoring of project sites, proper accounting of DBN transactions, and submission of prescribed reports and returns to DBN Administration, Department of Telecommunications (DoT).

2. Major DBN-Supported Schemes in Himachal Pradesh

A. Amended BharatNet Project (ABP)

Agreement No.: 30-708/USOF/BharatNet/ABP-1 dated 24.01.2024

Agreement Duration: Operative for up to 10 years, as per the agreement.

The Amended BharatNet Project (ABP), with BSNL as the Project Management Agency (PMA), aims to strengthen broadband infrastructure and expand connectivity to Gram Panchayats across Himachal Pradesh. Its major components include:

  • Operation and Maintenance (O&M): Maintenance of the BharatNet Phase-I network to ensure reliable broadband connectivity to Gram Panchayats.
  • FTTH Connectivity: Provision of approximately 1 lakh FTTH connections across around 3,600 Gram Panchayats.
  • Eligible Expenditure: Settlement of admissible claims relating to optical fibre cable (OFC) leasing, Block and Gram Panchayat (GP) equipment, space and infrastructure, project management, quality assurance testing, electricity, SNOC, DCN links, SIP/NOC charges, Internet Leased Line (ILL), Right of Way (RoW) charges and Independent Engineer payments, in accordance with applicable agreements and guidelines.

Subsidy claims submitted by BSNL are verified by the Office of CCA, Himachal Pradesh, as applicable under the scheme.

B. Provision of Mobile Services in 354 Uncovered Villages

Agreement No.: USOF/SP/354 Uncovered/2018-19 dated 28.04.2020

Agreement Duration: Up to 10 years from the commissioning date of the respective site, as per the agreement.

Under this scheme, Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited (RJIL) is providing mobile connectivity to identified uncovered villages, including remote and tribal areas of Himachal Pradesh.

In Himachal Pradesh Circle, 37 sites covering 42 villages in the tribal areas of Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti and Chamba have been commissioned. Financial support is provided through Front-Loaded Subsidy (FLS) and Equated Quarterly Subsidy (EQS), subject to the applicable agreement and verification of claims.

 

C. 4G Saturation in Uncovered Villages

Agreement No.: 30-231/2023/DoT/USOF dated 06.02.2023

OPEX Subsidy Period: Up to 5 years from the commissioning date of the respective tower, as per the agreement.

The scheme aims to extend 4G mobile coverage to approximately 1,052 uncovered villages across Himachal Pradesh through BSNL, involving around 700 towers.

Financial support is provided under Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) and Operational Expenditure (OPEX) components, as prescribed under the scheme. Eligible components include tower infrastructure and equipment, eNodeB equipment, backhaul connectivity, fibre usage and rental charges, electricity, carriage charges, site acquisition, site rentals and survey costs. Subsidy is released in accordance with prescribed milestones, agreement conditions and verification of claims.

3. Role of the Office of CCA, Himachal Pradesh

The Office of CCA plays a key role in the financial oversight and monitoring of DBN-supported schemes through the following activities:

  1. Verification and processing of subsidy claims submitted by Universal Service Providers (USPs).
  2. Inspection and monitoring of telecom sites to establish the veracity of claims and assess implementation status.
  3. Settlement and proper accounting of eligible subsidy payments.
  4. Monitoring compliance with applicable agreements, scheme guidelines and prescribed conditions.
  5. Submission of prescribed returns, reports, fund requisitions and other information to DBN Administration, DoT Headquarters.

These activities promote transparency, financial accountability and effective implementation of DBN-supported telecom projects, thereby strengthening digital connectivity in rural, remote and underserved areas of Himachal Pradesh.