New telecom law should suspend USOF levies, say industry bodies

A new legal framework for the telecom sector should freeze fresh levies from telcos for the Universal Service Obligation Fund, say ASSOCHAM, IAMAI

Leading industry associations such as ASSOCHAM and the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) are pushing for the sunsetting of the levy forked out by telcos for the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) or holding it in abeyance until the current available funds are exhausted.

ASSOCHAM and IAMAI have already submitted their views to the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) in response to a consultation paper mooted by the latter on the need for a new legal framework for governing the country’s telecom sector. The DoT had elicited responses and views from all stakeholders.

In its consultation paper, the DoT had pointed