The Hindu Business Line : No meeting point between TRAI, telecom operators

With mobile operators opposing any reduction in roaming tariffs, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Tuesday said that it could enforce a regulation to bring down the tariff as a last option. Operators had expressed concern with the telecom regulator's move to revise the ceiling on tariff for roaming services on grounds that tariffing should be left to market forces instead of regulatory intervention.

"The operators have expressed a point of view. I think there may be a counter point of view, which will also be shown to them. The best approach will be one that is acceptable to all. So we must try up to that point before a regulation comes into the picture. Enforcing a regulation should be the last resort, not the first," said Mr Nripendra Misra, Chairman, TRAI.

The telecom regulator would again discuss the matter with mobile operators to reach a decision on roaming tariffs. TRAI's final recommendations are expected by the end of this month.

Mr Misra said that the operators' demand for deregulation should be weighed against the issues of affordability and consumer interest. The TRAI has proposed to revise the existing roaming tariff by fixing a ceiling based on usage. The TRAI has also proposed to do away with rental charges for roaming services.

Tariffs review

All the operators including Bharti Airtel, BSNL, Reliance Communications and Tata Teleservices have opposed the move to review the tariffs. Bharti said that any regulatory intervention would force the operators to revise the tariff of other services as well.

The TRAI also said that mobile number portability was also an important issue that needs attention. Mr Misra said that TRAI's recommendations are with the Government and it was up to the Department of Telecom to take a decision.

More Stories on : Telecommunications | Regulatory Bodies & Rulings

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Mobile VAS market may touch $1 b

No meeting point between TRAI, telecom operators

CMS Institute to open 25 new centres

Telecom FDI compliance: Deadline now is April 2

Essar gets fund pledge worth $24 b for Hutch-Essar buy

TRAI told to look into pricing for TV channels under DTH

`Prepaids' verification proceeds at slow pace

`India gaining flavour with US venture capital cos'

Omni Touch to work with institutes