TRAI 2G pricing norms by October-end (Lead)
October 19th, 2010 - 4:50 pm ICT by IANSNew Delhi, Oct 19 (IANS) The telecom regulator would come out with new pricing norms for 2G (second generation) spectrum by this month-end, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Chairman J.S. Sarma said Monday.
“We are more or less coming to a close to our work… I suppose very shortly,” said Sarma. On being asked if the recommendations would be released by October end, he said: “We are trying to do that.”
Earlier in May this year, TRAI had proposed that the operators should pay a one-time fee for holding excess 2G spectrum beyond 6.2 mega hertz based on 3G prices.
The telecom providers had strongly opposed this. The regulator then said it would submit fresh proposals to the government after a consultation process.
Asked about mobile number portability (MNP) from Oct 31, Sarma said it would be implemented within the time frame or a few days later.
“We have spoken to the department of telecom not to extend the deadline. However, the implementation will take place in the entire country or in two zones is yet to be decided,” he said.
MNP will allow users to retain their mobile telephone numbers even if they switch their operators.
It has already been delayed four times. Initially, MNP was to be implemented by December 31, 2009 in all the metros along with the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
The deadline was then changed to March 31, 2010 and then to June 30, 2010. The June 30 deadline was again deferred as operators were not ready with the infrastructure to provide the service.
One of the reasons for MNP getting delayed is that the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) has rejected the proposal of Telecordia, a US-based company, for operation in India, citing security concerns. Telecordia was among the two agencies, besides Syniverse, chosen to implement and manage mobile number portability in the country. The department of telecom (DoT) recently issued a showcause notice asking the company why its licence should not be cancelled.
The country has been split into two number portability zones comprising 11 circles each and each zone is to be serviced by a separate MNP operator to avoid a monopoly scenario.
According to sources the telecom department might allow a single company, Syniverse, to roll out its services nationally.
- BSNL ready for mobile number portability - Sep 10, 2010
- Mobile number portability will be rolled out from Oct 31 - Aug 12, 2010
- TRAI says mobile number portability by Oct.31 - Aug 12, 2010
- Number portability implementation extended to Dec 31 - Sep 03, 2009
- TRAI to fine operators for contravening MNP rules - Sep 19, 2012
- 2G: Process for selection of auctioneer approved - May 01, 2012
- Less than 5 percent users to be affected: TRAI - Feb 02, 2012
- Mobile number portability to be rolled out Thursday - Nov 22, 2010
- Idea Cellular biggest gainer of mobile number portability - May 06, 2012
- Mobile number portability not much of a hit - Dec 04, 2011
- 59.31 mn subscribers opted for MNP till July: TRAI - Sep 09, 2012
- MNP likely to see more takers following SC ruling - Feb 02, 2012
- Telecom market dominated by older players, users wont get affected: TRAI - Feb 02, 2012
- Etisalat advises subscribers to 'port out' - Mar 09, 2012
- Over 50 mn opted for mobile number portability till May - Jul 05, 2012
Tags: consultation process, fipb, foreign investment promotion board, gujarat, investment promotion board, karnataka, mnp, mobile number portability, mobile telephone numbers, norms, sarma, second generation, security concerns, syniverse, tamil nadu, telecom providers, telecom regulator, telecom regulatory authority, telecom regulatory authority of india, time fee