The Hindu Business Line : `Telecom law must move to universal declaration'

Advertisement

Chennai Feb. 16 Indian telecom regulation must move from `licensing model' to `universal declaration model' where a single licence is given to an operator for many kinds of services, according to Mr D.P.S. Seth, former Chairman and Managing Director, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd.

Noting that separate licences are given to the same service provider for operating NLD (national long distance), ILD (international long distance), wireless and other services, he said, "While our services are converging (voice, data, video, internet on the same platform), our licensing remains non-convergent."

Internationally, companies declare all services they provide hence eliminating complications arising out of multiple licences, he said speaking at a session on `Leadership in telecom industry' as part of a two-day seminar organised by the Madras Management Association.

Mr N. Arjun, Executive Director, Enterprise Services Carrier, Bharti Airtel Ltd, said India must use its information technology expertise to develop software for mobile usage.

He also stressed on the need to move beyond manufacturing handsets. "Companies must look at manufacturing mobile network related equipment," he said. He also said seamless roaming across operators was a challenge in the industry today. "This will become the testimony of service quality in future," he said.

Bidding for licence

Mr Arjun told Business Line that the company was bidding for licences to operate in international telecom circles but did not name any. Recently, Airtel acquired the licence to operate in Sri Lanka.

Mr S.P. Shukla, President-Personal, Reliance Communications Ltd, said his company too was bidding for licences to operate in international telecom circles.