The government has urged the country’s LCO to provide last mile connectivity via their networks to access service providers and ISPs, which will go a long way in the proliferation of good quality of broadband, while exhorting MSOs to up their broadband game.
“LCOs have been providing (the) last mile connectivity services to the MSOs and HITS (service providers). Therefore, LCOs may also strive to provide last mile connectivity to the access service providers/Internet Service Providers through its cable infrastructure for provisioning of broadband services in a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory manner and contribute in the development of the country,” a communication from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting stated Friday.
MIB stressed on the fact that the government has also clarified on revenue share arrangements.
The department of Telecoms (DoT), according to the MIB note, has amended the clause relating to AGR in its Unified Licence Agreement, which excludes revenue earned under the license permission granted by MIB from computation of adjusted gross revenue for the purpose of calculation of license fee levied by DoT on its ISP license.
“This is particularly beneficial for the MSOs who are holding the ISP license from DoT. MSOs may strive to also provide the broadband services to their subscribers,” MIB added.
Pointing out that broadband services have emerged as a basic infrastructure, essential for improving socio-economic development, job creation, civic engagement and global competitiveness, the MIB note said, “Access to secure, reliable, and affordable high-speed broadband services is a clear and urgent priority for every Indian citizen”.
The note further added that for proliferation of high-speed broadband across the rural areas will “require fiberisation and densification of networks all over the country” and the cable TV industry, through MSOs and LCOs, has tremendous reach deep into urban and rural areas, for delivering affordable and fast broadband to a large segment of the population of very quickly.