June 06, 2016: DataWind plans to apply for the Virtual Network Operators (VNO) license later this month and expects to launch a pan-India telecom service with a rural focus with unlimited Internet offering at Rs 99 per year.
Suneet Singh Tuli, CEO and Founder of DataWind said in a statement,“We are already in discussions with key network operators and intend to file our application for a VNO licence shortly, with a target launch date before Diwali.”
The Telecom Department on Friday released licence guidelines for virtual network operators (VNO), opening the door for a new class of players which will act like retailers for telecom service providers.
The VNOs will be entities providing telecom services like mobile landline and internet but only as retailer for full fledged telecom operators such as BSNL, MTNL and Airtel etc. The entry of VNOs is expected to push down cost of providing telecom services for companies and even give them room for cutting down tariffs.
The virtual network operators are treated as extension of Network Service Operator or Telecom Service Providers and they would not be allowed to install equipment interconnecting with network of other telecom operators.
Tuli Said, “Datawind’s moto is to bridge the digital divide, and we intend to utilise our patented web delivery platform to help deliver affordable Internet access to bring the next billion Indians online.”
As per the guidelines, VNOs will be able to offer all telecom services provided by a telecom operator and will have to pay fee to the government accordingly, with which it has partnered and will be able to sell services of more than one operator.
Image Source: teleanalysis.com
