About Digital Bharat Nidhi:
- It was formerly known as the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).
- It now operates under the Telecommunication Act, 2023.
- Mandate: It has mandate to support universal service through promoting access and delivery of telecommunication service in underserved rural, remote and urban areas.
- It is an attached office of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications.
- Objectives of Digital Bharat Nidhi:
- Support universal service through promoting access to and delivery of telecommunication services in underserved rural, remote and urban areas
- Support research and development of telecommunication services, technologies, and products
- Support pilot projects, consultancy assistance and advisory support towards provision of service under clause (a) above
- Support introduction of telecommunication services, technologies, and products
- Funding: The contributions made by telecom companies towards the Digital Bharat Nidhi will first be credited to the Consolidated Fund of India (CFI).
- The balance to the credit of the DBN is not lapsed at the end of the financial year.
- Utilization of Funds: Funds collected under the DBN will be used to support promoting access to and delivery of telecommunication services in underserved rural, remote and urban areas; fund research and development of telecommunication services, technologies, and product.
- Administration: Administration of DBN is managed by the Administrator appointed by Central Government of India.
- The administrator selects “DBN implementers” through “bidding” or invitation of applications from eligible persons.
