Global foray an option under evaluation, leverage Rs 75k cr USOF for devices, services: Jio President
Reliance Jio sees global foray as an option which is continuously under evaluation at the company, a senior company official said.
While speaking to the media at India Mobile Congress, Reliance Jio President Mathew Oommen said that India is now a tier 1 plus country and there should be no apprehension in framing policies that are right for the nation.
“We think the opportunity for India to go global is big. Reliance will continue to review options to see how best to represent India globally and offer value to customers leveraging the technology capabilities that we have already operationalized in India,” Oommen said.
He said that to truly drive the Digital India vision, the government should start leveraging Rs 75,700 crore Universal Services Obligation Fund (USOF) not just for mobile tower deployment but to make devices and services affordable and accessible for individuals.
He said Jio Bharat Phone ecosystem is an enabler to 2G mukt Bharat and AI Yukt Bharat.
He said that the underutilised USO fund should be leveraged for not just telecom infrastructure but also giving help to individuals for devices and services for those who cannot afford the transition.
«Anyone who cannot afford connectivity or monthly rent should be given a device and service model by leveraging the fund,” Oommen said.
The government at present charges 8 per cent of telecom companies' revenue as licence fee.
Out of this, 5 per cent of the collection is earmarked for USOF which is utilised for promoting telecom connectivity in rural and remote areas.
Oommen said that the 5 per cent collection for USOF should be removed and licence fees should be reduced to 3 per cent.
“Let the telecom industry use those funds for continued investment. Give
