Delink license for networks from delivery of services by VNO: TRAI

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of "- India (TRAI) has today released a Consultation Paper on "Delinking of the license for networks from delivery of services by way of Virtual Network Operators (VNO)".

Department of Telecommunications (DoT),through its letter dated 7th July 2014, sought the Authority's recommendations for delinking of licensing of networks from delivery of services by way of virtual network operators etc. including associated' issues such as Adjusted Gross Revenue, terms of sharing of passive & active infrastructure etc. under unified licensing regime.

TRAI had earlier released a Pre-Consultation Paper on "Delinking of the license for networks from delivery of services by way of Virtual Network Operators (VNO)"on 3rd September 2014 highlighting some of the issues associated with the proposed licensing framework by the DoT and had solicited inputs and comments of the stakeholders on these issues or any other issues involved in the proposed framework. Comments / inputs received from stakeholders have been placed on TRAI's website.

Now, TRAI has issued this Consultation Paper, raising specific issues, for consideration of stakeholders. A consultation paper on 'Definition of revenue base (AGR)for the reckoning of license fee and spectrum usage charges' has been already issued on 31st July 2014. Therefore, this consultation paper is limited to the issues related to delinking of licenses for networks from the delivery of services by way of virtual network operators (VNOs). The Consultation Paper has been placed on TRAI's website www.trai.gov.in.

Written comments on the issues raised in the Consultation Paper are invited from the stakeholders by 5th January 2015 and counter-comments by 12thJanuary 2015.