The Common Service Obligation Fund (USOF) below the Division of Telecommunications (DoT) has signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Prasar Bharati (below the Ministry of Data and Broadcasting) and the Open Community for Digital Commerce (ONDC), a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) initiative of the Division for Promotion of Business and Inner Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Business, aiming to proliferate reasonably priced and accessible digital companies throughout the nation.
Bundling Broadband with OTT and E-commerce
The MoU, signed with Prasar Bharati and the Open Community for Digital Commerce (ONDC), goals to leverage BharatNet infrastructure to offer reasonably priced digital companies throughout India.
Additionally Learn: Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Unveils Telecom Reforms, Together with Spectrum Sandbox
Beneath the settlement, broadband companies will likely be bundled with Over-the-High (OTT) and e-commerce platforms, addressing connectivity, content material, and commerce wants in rural areas, the Ministry of Communications mentioned on Tuesday.
The MoU was signed within the presence of key officers together with Neeraj Mittal, Secretary (Telecom), and Niraj Verma, Administrator of USOF, T Koshy, MD and CEO of ONDC, A Ok Jha, ADG, Platforms, Prasar Bharati, and Sunil Kumar Verma, Joint Secretary of DoT.
Empowering Rural Connectivity and Commerce
The Ministry emphasised USOF’s position in facilitating high-speed broadband and cellular connections in Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages within the nation.
Reportedly, this MoU will allow bundled Prasar Bharati OTT as a service, together with linear channels, Reside TV, and on-demand content material, amongst finish shoppers, whereas USOF will guarantee high-speed broadband companies in rural and distant areas. Moreover, ONDC will contribute technical experience to allow digital commerce in services.
This initiative will likely be expanded to cowl extra companies like training, well being, coaching, credit score, insurance coverage, agriculture, amongst others, the Ministry mentioned.
