The Hindu Business Line : AUSPI for Rs 100 cr entry fee for inter-circle connectivity

NEW DELHI: CDMA-based telecom operators have suggested an Rs 100 crore entry fee for direct connectivity between two circles, saying it was necessary to maintain a level playing field under IndiaOne plan proposed by the Department of Telecom.

The CDMA players' association AUSPI, which includes Reliance Infocomm and Tata Teleservices, has also said that a single rate for local and long distance should be avoided in the proposed 'IndiaOne' plan saying it might cause local rates to go up.

Increase in local rates is not desirable and also not possible due to the existing ADC and interconnect usage charges regime that involves payments such as carriage and termination charges, AUSPI said in its submission to DoT on IndiaOne plan.

"Inter-circle direct connectivity should be allowed only after levying a Rs 100 crore entry fee. National long distance service is a separate licence for which huge entry fee has been paid and roll-out obligations undertaken."

"In the interest of maintaining level-playing field, any inter-circle connectivity should be permitted only after levying a payment of Rs 100 crore," it said.

The other proposal includes merging Access Deficit Charge with the USO Fund, more spectrum for CDMA players on the 800 Mhz band for their expansion and allocation of spectrum on 1,900 Mhz band where equipment and handsets are available for CDMA players. - PTI

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