The Hindu Business Line : TRAI issues consultation paper on relaxing Net telephony curbs

NEW DELHI: In a move that could bring down national and international telecom tariffs even further, telecom regulator TRAI on Monday sought views from industry and experts to liberalise Internet telephony segment.

As per existing licensing provisions, there is no restriction on international PC-to-PC calls through the Internet telephony. However, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are not permitted to have interconnection with Public Switched Telephone Network (PST N)/Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) exchanges to provide Internet telephony within India.

Internet service providers are not allowed to make calls to fixed line and mobile subscribers, as they are not permitted to have interconnection with these networks to terminate Internet telephony calls within the country.

Allowing PSTN/PLMN connectivity to ISPs may provide a cheaper option to subscribers for making domestic and international long distance calls and may act as a catalyst in boosting the broadband penetration in the country.

Not only this, Internet telephony within country may also boost competition in national long distance sector, the TRAI said.

Use of Internet telephony for calling PSTN/PLMN abroad has already generated competition in the International Long Distance (ILD) sector benefiting subscribers.

Similar impact is expected in the National Long Distance (NLD) sector also. However, this would require examination of certain regulatory issues such as interconnection, numbering, lawful interception, emergency number dialing, quality of service (QoS), the TRAI said. - PTI

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