Regional telecom firms could come into play under a state proposal to propagate communication facilities in rural villages.
The regional licences will give firms a mandate to set up telecom networks in villages and access to monies from the lquote Viswa Grama programme, a state authored proposal to create communication facilities in areas with little or no communication infrastructure.
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rnLicences will be awarded to existing telecom services providers and new firms interested in providing communication services in a geographically restricted area. rn
rnThe Finance Ministry will over see the lquote Viswa Grama or the Information Infrastructure Development Fund (IIDF) and will be managed by a development bank.rn
rnFunds for the lquote Viswa Grama programme will come from a 0.06% levy on incoming international call and donor agency contributions.
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rnThe Ministry of Mass Communication said ldblquote the previous ambiguous exclusivity regime resulted in the disproportionate use of international