News for 'Universal Access Service'

A Day at Mumbai's Museum of Solutions

A Day at Mumbai's Museum of Solutions

Rediff.com21 Oct 2025

MUSO is more than a museum; it is a vibrant, innovative playground that fosters curiosity.

'Applying to universities abroad is increasingly risky'

'Applying to universities abroad is increasingly risky'

Rediff.com31 Aug 2023

'With the current situation in the global job market, students come back with an added burden of educational loans.'

Govt promises broadband access in all villages by 2022

Govt promises broadband access in all villages by 2022

Rediff.com18 Dec 2019

The mission - unveiled by Communications Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad -- will enable strengthening of technological infrastructure for education, health, entrepreneurship and development.

Top Competitive Exams After Class 12

Top Competitive Exams After Class 12

Rediff.com18 Aug 2025

rediffGURU Nayagam PP, career counsellor and the founder of EduJob360, counsels students and aspiring professionals about how they can make the right career decision.

What Are The New Changes in TOEFL?

What Are The New Changes in TOEFL?

Rediff.com29 May 2025

TOEFL is a standardised test to measure the English language abilities of non-native speakers wishing to enrol in English-speaking universities.

'Munir's US Visits: Something Else Is Afoot'

'Munir's US Visits: Something Else Is Afoot'

Rediff.com20 Aug 2025

'Trump has personally weighed in to overcome doubts and reservations about Pakistan among his top advisors.'

Weaker Nations Get Used. Warning For India

Weaker Nations Get Used. Warning For India

Rediff.com17 Sep 2025

'Trump does have a master plan in mind to put pressure on India with the additional tariff of 25 per cent to get Modi to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to freeze the Ukraine war.' 'It has not worked so far. By end-September only we'll know for sure the future trajectory of India's oil purchases from Russia,' observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

FULL TEXT: President's address to the nation on I-Day eve

FULL TEXT: President's address to the nation on I-Day eve

Rediff.com15 Aug 2025

President Droupadi Murmu's address to the nation on the eve of the 79th Independence Day.

Amazon to invest Rs 2,000 cr in India to expand logistics, improve safety

Amazon to invest Rs 2,000 cr in India to expand logistics, improve safety

Rediff.com20 Jun 2025

Amazon will invest more than Rs 2,000 crore (about $233 million) in India in 2025 as it strengthens its logistics and safety standards, said the ecommerce company on Thursday.

Why bomb threats through VPNs, dark web evade detection

Why bomb threats through VPNs, dark web evade detection

Rediff.com16 Jul 2025

Delhi Police are investigating a series of bomb threats targeting schools and colleges, sent via encrypted networks. The threats have caused panic and disruption, prompting increased security measures and a police investigation into the source and motives behind the emails.

'India Can Convert Tariffs Into Win-Win Situation'

'India Can Convert Tariffs Into Win-Win Situation'

Rediff.com11 Aug 2025

'It's important for India to think about areas where it wants the US to move.' 'We can be far more innovative in what we ask the US.' 'Given that there's a package deal, why not do it?'

DoT may cancel rural licence fee waiver

DoT may cancel rural licence fee waiver

Rediff.com23 Jul 2009

A bitter battle between the finance ministry and the Department of Telecommunications over their jurisdiction might force the latter to withdraw its decision to waive licence fees for fixed-line service operators in rural areas.

'3 Cs haunt Indian education': Sonia slams Centre over NEP

'3 Cs haunt Indian education': Sonia slams Centre over NEP

Rediff.com31 Mar 2025

Noting that these three Cs haunt Indian education today, the Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson said in an article that this "carnage" of India's public education system must end.

COMING SOON: Withdraw EPF Money At ATMs

COMING SOON: Withdraw EPF Money At ATMs

Rediff.com17 Dec 2024

By June 2025, financial freedom will be just an ATM away. Pleasantly surprised? But there's more, says Ramalingam Kalirajan

New telecom licence: COAI's demands

New telecom licence: COAI's demands

Rediff.com4 Oct 2007

The Cellular Operators Association of India has suggested that the government, in allocating telecom licence, consider applicants with experience and impose a five-year lock-in period under which promoters cannot sell their equity.

US firm buys 20% in Idea for $640 m

US firm buys 20% in Idea for $640 m

Rediff.com23 May 2008

Aditya Birla Telecom Ltd (ABTL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Idea Cellular, will offload 20 per cent to Providence Equity Partners, a US buyout firm, for Rs 2,560 crore. This takes Providence's total investment in Idea Cellular to $1.04 billion, which is the largest private equity investment in an Indian telecom service provider. The deal values ABTL at Rs 12,800 crore.

No separate licence needed for 3G: Trai

No separate licence needed for 3G: Trai

Rediff.com23 Nov 2007

Trai also recommended allocation of 3G spectrum in the 2.1 GHz band through auction in tranches of 2x5 MHz. And if this spectrum band was not adopted, it would be possible to provide spectrum only to two to three operators, apart from state-owned companies (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited and Mahanagr Telephone Nigam Limited).

Modi arrives in Canada for G7 Summit amid Israel-Iran conflict

Modi arrives in Canada for G7 Summit amid Israel-Iran conflict

Rediff.com17 Jun 2025

The Kananaskis gathering on June 16-17 is the Prime Minister's 6th consecutive participation in the G7 Summit.

Chronology: How the 2G scam case UNFOLDED

Chronology: How the 2G scam case UNFOLDED

Rediff.com15 May 2012

Following is the chronology of the events in the 2G spectrum allocation scam in which the prime accused and former Telecom Minister A Raja was on Tuesday granted bail:

Delay in launch of 3G to help BSNL, MTNL

Delay in launch of 3G to help BSNL, MTNL

Rediff.com16 Aug 2008

However, operators said the chief beneficiary would be the state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd, which have already been given the spectrum for 3G services, as well as Reliance Communications, which is still to roll out its 2G GSM network.

Chronology of 2G scam case

Chronology of 2G scam case

Rediff.com2 Feb 2012

Following is the chronology of events in the 2G scam.

Telecom industry wants govt to junk USOF, slash duties

Telecom industry wants govt to junk USOF, slash duties

Rediff.com27 Jan 2024

Telecom services providers have urged the Ministry of Finance to suspend the universal service obligation (USOF) till the existing corpus is exhausted. In their Budget recommendations, they have also pressed for an exemption from the service tax on "assignment of right to use natural resources" and the slashing of Customs duty on telecom equipment to zero. The Cellular Operators Association of India (Coai), which represents private sector telecom operators Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, called for abolishment of USOF levy.

How Tamil Nadu Is Becoming A Global Hub

How Tamil Nadu Is Becoming A Global Hub

Rediff.com2 Apr 2025

After Chennai, it is Coimbatore, Madurai, and Tiruchirappalli, that are emerging as manufacturing hubs. Coimbatore is India's top Tier-II city in terms of the number of GCCs, according to a report by Cushman & Wakefield.

'India Should Reduce Tariffs For All Countries'

'India Should Reduce Tariffs For All Countries'

Rediff.com11 Aug 2025

'That way you're not hostage just to US sort of exports to India.'

Government nod to nine telecom applicants

Government nod to nine telecom applicants

Rediff.com27 Feb 2008

In a major development, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology has cleared applications of nine telecom aspirants and is close to issuing them Letters of Intent. This will be followed by issuance of universal access service licences and allocation of spectrum.

DoT to seek details on rollout obligations

DoT to seek details on rollout obligations

Rediff.com5 Apr 2007

The department of telecommunications is planning to seek details from four operators - Bharti-Airtel, Hutchison-Essar, Tata Teleservices Ltd and Reliance Communications - on the fulfillment of rollout obligations under the mobile telephony licence.

Spectrum to be allocated in 7 more circles

Spectrum to be allocated in 7 more circles

Rediff.com17 Apr 2008

The Department of Tele-communications is close to allocating start-up spectrum in seven more circles, in addition to Tamil Nadu, where the process is set to begin next week. According to the telecom ministry's plan, the companies would get 4.4 MHz each and the allocation would be completed within a fortnight.

Lock-in period for telcos holding UAS licences

Lock-in period for telcos holding UAS licences

Rediff.com24 Jul 2009

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on Thursday came out with a notification under which a UASL (Universal Access Service Licence) holder will have a lock-in period of three years or till the fulfilment of rollout obligations, whichever is earlier, before promoters can sell their equity stake.

DoT's licence norms may be tougher

DoT's licence norms may be tougher

Rediff.com26 Sep 2007

Among the new guidelines under discussion, DoT is looking at raising the net worth criterion of companies applying for a pan-India UASL licence from Rs 1,380 crore to Rs 1,500 crore.

Govt may use reserve oil funds to finance fertiliser subsidy gap

Govt may use reserve oil funds to finance fertiliser subsidy gap

Rediff.com18 Feb 2025

For the first time, the government is likely to dip into the Oil Industry Development Fund (OIDF) to finance part of its fertiliser subsidy programme for 2025-26, according to official sources. The finance ministry has accounted for Rs 23,000 crore in the FY26 Budget as net additional resources to be drawn from dedicated reserve funds, including the OIDF, the Agriculture Infrastructure and Development Fund, and the Universal Service Obligation Fund.

K'taka budget: Sidda announces Muslim quota for govt supplies

K'taka budget: Sidda announces Muslim quota for govt supplies

Rediff.com8 Mar 2025

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced reservation for Muslims in supplying goods and services up to a value of Rs 1 crore to various government departments, corporations and institutions in the state budget for 2025-26. The budget also increased the value limit of government contracts in which Muslims can avail reservation to Rs 2 crore. The reservation to Muslims under 2B category is in addition to the Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and Castes coming under Category-1, Category-2A. The budget also included various welfare schemes for minorities, including Rs 50,000 to support simple marriages and Rs 1,000 crore under the Chief Minister's Minority Colony Development Programme.

As Election Nears, Patna Gets Metro Boost

As Election Nears, Patna Gets Metro Boost

Rediff.com29 May 2025

The metro, it seems, is politics-proof -- even if it comes at a high cost.

Trump's Tariff Tsunami: Will India Sink or Reform?

Trump's Tariff Tsunami: Will India Sink or Reform?

Rediff.com21 Apr 2025

The Trump trade shock is a chance to push long-overdue reforms, rather than tinker with tariffs to appease the US, suggests M Govinda Rao.

History in Minutes: When Dr Ambedkar Was Denied Water

History in Minutes: When Dr Ambedkar Was Denied Water

Rediff.com14 Apr 2025

On the 134th birth anniversary of the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, Utkarsh Mishra revisits three incidents from Dr B R Ambedkar's life that lay bare the deeply entrenched nature of caste prejudice.

Budget proposes social security scheme for gig workers

Budget proposes social security scheme for gig workers

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said the government will arrange identity cards and registration on the e-Shram portal to assist 1 crore gig workers. Presenting the Union Budget 2025-26, the finance minister also said a scheme for the socio-economic upliftment of urban workers will be implemented.

How Will Trump Change The World On April 2?

How Will Trump Change The World On April 2?

Rediff.com1 Apr 2025

We have entered a new era in human history, asserts Aakar Patel.

'How Do Students Get 100% In Exams?'

'How Do Students Get 100% In Exams?'

Rediff.com18 Mar 2025

'Because the same stupid questions are repeated year after year when an exam should provoke the students to think and not ask repetitive questions.' 'So, what do coaching institutes do? They teach students to memorise these questions and answers without understanding the subject.'

Spectrum auctions will facilitate roll-out of 5G services: FM

Spectrum auctions will facilitate roll-out of 5G services: FM

Rediff.com1 Feb 2022

The government will conduct a spectrum auction this year, which will facilitate the roll-out of 5G services by private telecom operators during the financial year 2022-23, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Tuesday. "Spectrum auctions will be conducted in 2022 to facilitate the roll-out of 5G mobile services within 2022-23 by private telecom providers," Sitharaman said. She said the telecommunications sector in general and 5G, in particular, can enable growth and offer job opportunities.

Review: Naah-daniyan!

Review: Naah-daniyan!

Rediff.com7 Mar 2025

Nadaaniyan's lack of charm, chemistry and cheek fails to create any ripples sighs Sukanya Verma.

Sundar Pichai pitches Google Loon for internet access in rural India

Sundar Pichai pitches Google Loon for internet access in rural India

Rediff.com16 Dec 2015

Google uses solar panel and wind to power electronic equipment in the balloon throughout the day.