The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is planning to permit mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) to operate in the country as relief for new players who have not yet launched services.
An MVNO would offer wireless services under its own brand name by taking on lease spectrum and infrastructure from a new telecom operator. MVNOs can buy minutes of traffic in bulk and resell them to subscribers. In 2008, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had recommended that MVNOs be permitted in India. Subsequently, through a reference from DoT in 2009, the telecom regulator came out with amended guidelines.
