Overview
- The Andhra Pradesh government on Saturday issued an order that operationalises a support package to push operators to build towers in uncovered villages and remote habitations.
- The package provides rent-free government land, subsidised or reduced electricity for newly commissioned towers and targeted viability-gap payments where needed.
- Major telecom firms including BSNL, Airtel, Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea are named in the framework and must install towers within prescribed timelines under the order.
- The plan includes Intra-Circle Roaming to share infrastructure where standalone networks are not viable and a break-even rule that ends subsidies once a tower reaches about 450 subscribers.
- The government will review support every three years and expects faster coverage to boost access to online services in education, healthcare and banking while fiscal details and rollout logistics are finalised.