The Hindu Business Line : `CDMA numbering change only if technically required'

THE Telecom Regulatory Authority of India will seek a revision in the existing numbering plan for CDMA (code division multiple access) mobile services only if technical requirements in the wake of the unified licence regime force such a change. The final decision would be taken in a fortnight, according to Mr Pradip Baijal, Chairman, TRAI.

Speaking to newspersons on the sidelines of a seminar organised by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Mr Baijal said that the authority is examining the existing numbering plan, given the fact that GSM cellular subscriber numbers are 10 digits while CDMA mobile services are of eight digits. Another issue that is being examined is a reduction in the number of STD codes across the country.

He also expressed concern at the low level of Internet and broadband penetration in the country. He said the authority would issue a consultation paper on the twin issues soon. Pointing out that the country's claim of knowledge-based society is not buttressed by the abysmally low penetration of Internet and broadband, the consultation paper to be issued by TRAI would cover comprehensive improvement in the current situation. At present Internet penetration is 0.4 per cent and that of broadband stands at 0.02 per cent, he noted.

"The penetration could only increase when there is a content which is of interest to users. Besides, the issues of data transfer and viable business models are also there. The consultation paper would cover all these issues."

Justifying the unified licence regime, he said the authority, in fact, wanted to do away with the licence regime itself, but since it would have required the amendment to the Telegraph Act, the regulator recommended switching over to a unified access licence regime. Referring to accusations that the unified licence regime is a contractual violation entered with operators in the New Telecom Policy, 1999, Mr Baijal said the policy had mentioned that the boundary between wireline and wireless telephony is getting blurred and something has to be done in the new situation.

"And when we did something we faced accusations. When the authority recommended a calling-party pays regime, we were branded as pro-cellular operators, and when we called for a unified licence regime we were accused of favouring basic operators."Responding to cellular operators' demand of compensation in the post-unified regime, he said the Finance Ministry has been authorised by the Cabinet to look into the cellular operators' plea. However, in his personal opinion, he said the Government should be insulated from compensation in future. He said there exists a case for pricing spectrum though there is a case in the demand that it should be low priced.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication

Stories in this Section
Standalone cell players need to pay Rs 126 cr for unified licence

Reliance Info Pioneer offer to close on Dec 14

`CDMA numbering change only if technically required'

Telecom regulator must correct bias: Gartner

Taiwan firm unveils 11 GSM phone models

BPL mobile launches `New Mots'

More client wins than losses for IT majors

Capital goods import under DFCEC scheme — Software exporters allowed to import only `professional equipment'

Subex close to clinching deal in CDMA segment

Infosys bags ING, Kodak orders

Hinduja TMT bags contract

Indonesian bank adopts CashTech's new platform

Caritor bags BHEL deal

3rd party surrogates needed to dispel offshoring doubts

Roadshows mooted to showcase `IT Coimbatore'

Wipro, Intel to co-host seminars

Tyco Electronics sees big rise in `networking' revenue

Wendtsoft unveils 2 products