Through their website BSNL has announced the rural broadband connection under USOF scheme to increase the broadband penetration in rural areas. Universal Service Obligation Fund(USOF) is being utilized exclusively for meeting the Universal Service Obligation by providing access to telegraph services to people in the rural and remote areas at affordable and reasonable prices.
The key highlights of the rural broadband connection under this scheme are:
- Cheap monthly rental (From Rs 99/- and Rs. 150/-)
- Free Modem
- Bandwidth starting from 512 Kbps
- Full details and tariffs here
But these things are in advertisement only. In many areas BSNL authorities are not giving connection under this scheme. The reason they are projecting is – they can not assure the minimum bandwidth of 512 Kbps, especially in rural areas, which is mandatory under this scheme to get fund from USOF. BSNL officials say they can assure only the basic broadband bandwidth of 256 kbps.
It is heard that some hidden circular is behind this to safeguard the BSNL authorities from legal action. If you apply for broadband connection they will simply give you the normal basic broadband connection.
See the fun, in the countries like Finland, high speed broadband connection (1Mbps) has been made as a fundamental right and heading towards an assured bandwidth of 100mbps by 2015. Here our National Internet Backborn can not assure a minimum 512 Kbps bandwidth.
Leave the bandwidth, people are satisfied with 256 kbps, at least BSNL authorities should think about giving the connection under this scheme after getting an undertaking by the customer that he/she will not claim for 512 Kbps or put a “*” in the advertisement(Conditions applied).
This is the best example of Red tapism and communication gap between the Govt departments. How easily they have spoiled a great program to increase the broadband penetration in rural areas.
Please share your experience if any.
I too tried apply UL 799 without success.I was told that that option is not available in their software
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I as well applied for USOF-500 plan just 1 day back. I live in a rural area and was using 500+ urban plan earlier. I was not denied for the connection atleast and was assured that it will start working from the next billing cycle. Will keep you updated with whatever goes on with that at my end…
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Admin Reply:
March 30th, 2010 at 4:53 PM
Thanx for your comment, Can you please mention your location? It will be helpful to other readers also.
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I belong to a small village near Chandigarh, Punjab.
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To my surprise, my RUSOF 500 plan is shown as OPEN even before 01/04/2010 which is when my billing cycle starts.
I immediately did test on bandwidth which it draws from my ISP. The popular bandwidth calculator http://www.speedtest.net/ calculates it to be 1.20 Mb/s (DL) and 0.42 Mb/s (UL), which i believe should not be the case with RUSOF 500 plan.
I guess the the portal only shows it as OPEN. The plan be effective only from 01/04/2010 in actuality (which is written there as well). Well, will keep u posted on more…
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Admin Reply:
March 31st, 2010 at 10:06 PM
Gurdeep, Thanx for the update
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Status at portal changed from “OPEN” to “Provisioning InProgress”. I called CC and was told that it will take 2-3 days more to actually get activated.
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You are welcome Admin.
My USOF plan was activated on 05/04/2010 and i’m using it right now. The same has been confirmed from officials as well.
But thing which amazes is the BANDWIDTH. This is STILL THE SAME as before i.e. 2 Mbps !!! According to USOF Combo UL 500, it should be no more than 512 Kbps upto 4 GB & 256 Kbps beyond 4 GB. I made aware about my concern the officials as well when i received the confirmation call, but they simply said “It’s OK with the speeds”
?
The portal shows my usage “0″, 05/04 afterwards. I don’t how is it possible with the Bandwidth. Let’s see what happens coming May when I’m billed!
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Sujith Reply:
April 8th, 2010 at 4:05 PM
It is nice Gurdeep, Happy to hear that you got the connection in USOF scheme. This shows that there is no hidden instruction from the top to deny the connection. Now the responsibility goes to the local BSNL authorities. Some over cautions officials are playing this dirty game. Any way thanx for the update and please don’t forget to update more details.
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I have tried a lot to get that usof500 plan. But all bsnl officers say that there is no new rs 500 plan even broadband helpline 1800 424 1600 says that there is no plan like this. Please suggest if any way to get to this plan.
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I sent a signed request for BB Home Rural USOF Combo UL 500,but they told me there is no provision for this plan under Punnamparambu exchange,Thrissur dist,Kerala.They told only 31 connections are comes under these scheme .
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Thankyou sujith for sharing this info..i am living in a rural area and wish to take the ul500 plan..can we take any legal action he they reject us ..is any provision to go to consumer court..is there any regulation that kept not supply more than 31 connection under this plan…if yes how can we assure that they give more than 31 connection..we should seriously think about this matter..as an indian citizen we should have the right..once again thanks for all valuable comments here..they help of lot..thanks sujith
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Sujith Reply:
May 26th, 2010 at 2:06 PM
Hi friend, thanks for your remarks. If BSNL authorities say they have already given 31 connections, then we can very well get the details through RTI act. Submit an RTI application to the JTO and get the details. They will be compelled to give it. No where they have published the restriction of 31 connection. Here is page on BSNL official site displays all the details of USOF broadband scheme. It is good step to approach consumer court. It will be helpful to others also.
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i m a user of bb 750 per month please tell me im eligible for
BB Home Rural Combo UL 500 @
please reply me
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Sujith Reply:
June 29th, 2010 at 10:33 PM
Hi Harpeet, If your local exchange is coming in rural area, You are eligible for Rural combo plan. Contact your nearest BSNL exchange for more details.
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What is the BSNL policy in giving Broad Band connectivity to Cyber Cafes at Taluka or District Places? I would like to detailed report on this topic including tariff plans too.
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Are Cyber cafes included in USOF scheme? If not, WHY?
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Sujith Reply:
June 30th, 2010 at 10:29 AM
All cyber cafes are coming under business plan. In business plan also you have to take multi user plan, but it has been observed that many cyber cafe owners are taking single user business plan and share the connection for many PCs, which is against the TOS of BSNL.
Here the Combo BB Plans for both Home & Business Users with Unlimited Usage
Standalone Broadband Plans for both Home & Business Users
As per BSNL site , USOF is applicable for rural business use also see the Tariff
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It is limited to 31 customers.
http://www.uttaranchal.bsnl.co.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=149&Itemid=400
I was allotted the rural 150 plan but they said that modem is not free, and I have to pay 1000 bucks for it. I am from Karnataka, D.K district.
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Sujith Reply:
July 8th, 2010 at 3:08 PM
Krishna, Thanks for the feedback.
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I have used this plan for 2 months . there is no restriction of 31 connections and it is right that modem is not free
if you are not provided this connection complain to the head officer of your distric telephone exchange or call 1957 if available in your area
also you can simply fill the online form to activate this plan
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Where can I get a list of eligible exchanges in kerala under this scheme?
If such a plan is there it should be made available
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I am from Malappuram Dt. Kerala and my exchange is listed under USOD scheme. I too denied for USOF Rural plan from local BSNL office & SSA district level. I am officially putting a complaint from SSA level to the higher management till I get a proper reason for not giving connection under USOF plan in any of exchanges under Malappuram SSA, Kerala.
Guys do not leave it, fight till you get the connection OR let BSNL remove this scheme from their site.
Actually the plan is not BSNL innovation. It is a project by Department of Telecom and BSNL is obliged to implement that.
Please find the details in below link (Section 1.4)
http://www.dot.gov.in/uso/implementationstatus.htm
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Sujith Reply:
August 10th, 2010 at 6:25 AM
Basheer, Thanks you for sharing your experience. All the best for your efforts and hope this will open their eyes.
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sudheer pv Reply:
August 19th, 2010 at 2:39 PM
entha exchagum rural departmentil varunnathaanu but they are not giving me,avaru parayuvaaa
25 broadbanconnectionil thazhayulla exchangukalil maatramaa kodukkan pattathulloo enta exchane athil varattilla enn
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Sujith Reply:
August 21st, 2010 at 9:50 AM
Hi Sudheer, It is not like that. The USOF scheme says – Under this scheme within a rural exchange only 25 connections will be given. Just ask the exchange authorities, how many connections they have issued under USOF scheme in your area. If it is less than 25, then you are also eligible for the same.
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I need to know the details about the upgraded 899 USOF rural plan in BSNL… I Searched all over the internet… But i cant find a exact detail… Can any one tell me about the Detailed info of 899 USOF rural plan as dated on august 2010…???
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well since last three months i am tring to submit required fee for the home plan 500 on this i am beeing force to get feseabilty report from the local line man who is looking after the area he is available on phone saying come and take me to you house then i’ll decied and i have told dear it is only 200 mts away from the dp you will give me the connection now he is saying there is no connection for you
i have gone to higher leve but all are saying the same thig
can i do something for it
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