USOF can incentivise 2G, 4G phone purchases to drive digital inclusion: Vodafone Idea

NEW DELHI: Joint collaborations can be explored with telecom operators to incentivise the purchases of 2G and 4G smartphones with the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), which will in turn, increase digital inclusion in the country, said a senior executive of Vodafone Idea.

This is in stark contrast to the strategy of rivals. In July, rival Reliance Jio’s parent Reliance Industries launched the JioBharat internet-enabled feature phone to drive the migration of 250 million 2G users, especially from rural regions, to 4G network. Second-ranked Bharti Airtel, on the other hand, does not plan to launch such a device and is instead focused on driving feature phone to smartphone upgrades through cash backs and other schemes.