The Prime Minister, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee, said the Government will issue licences for private sector Internet service providers (ISPs) before November 7. Also, there will be no restriction on the number of licences issued to prospective applicants. The ISPs will pay zero licence fee for the first five years and a fee of Re. 1 thereafter. They would also be allowed to bring in foreign equity investment to the extent of 49 per cent. Mr. Vajpayee said the aim of the new ISP policy was to achieve the fastest possible proliferation of quality Internet service all over India at an affordable price.

Marley plans manufacturing base in India

The $283-million cooling tower manufacturer, Marley USA — part of the US-based United Dominion Industries (UDI) group — plans to set up a manufacturing base in India with an investment of $5 millions. The company, which had an international manufacturing and sales agreement with Paharpur Cooling Towers Ltd till 1993, currently operates in India through a liaison office. However, the Kansas-headquartered company's application to the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB), for investing $5 millions in a manufacturing subsidiary in the country was deferred by the board at its meeting.

Major changes to TRAI Act likely

The Government is considering several major amendments to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Act, 1997, which will vest the regulator with greater authority in licensing of services as well as settlement of disputes, high level sources said. Further, due to the slow progress in the corporatisation of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), an idea of a top telecom policy body is being floated within the Government.

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