The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on September 11, 2023, issued a notification regarding the Scheme for recognition of Internet Service Providers excelling in providing Rural fibre-to-home connections.
The following has been stated namely: -
• It states that in order to accelerate Rural FTTH connections so as to bridge the digital divide and promote the socio-economic development of rural India by promoting high-speed broadband connections, it has been decided to recognize 3 ISPs of each A, B, and C categories (total 9 ISPs) who have provided a maximum number of net additions in rural FTTH Connections in a year.
• This scheme includes ISP VNOs as well, the recognition will be given annually for the net additions from April to March as reported by ISP on the Saral Sanchar portal.
• The first recognition would be for the period April 01, 2023, to March 31, 2024.
• The details of the recognition are as follows namely: -
(i) The recognition would include
a. Recognition certificate.
b. The name of the ISP would be displayed on the DOT website under the relevant section.
(ii) The recognition will be subject to the following namely: -
a. The minimum number of net additions in rural FTTH connections in the last financial year should be at least:
i. 50,000 i.r.o. Category A.
ii. 10,000 i.r.o. category B
iii. 2,000 i.r.0. category C
[Notification No. DS-11/143/2023-DS-111]
