Lt Gen Dr S.P. Kochhar, director general, Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has provided statement on Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)’s response to Department of Telecommunications (DoT)’s back reference on TRAI’s recommendations on the Framework for Service Authorisations to be Granted Under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
According to him, COAI has been advocating that the authorisation process must not be made and continue to retain the contractual nature of the present licensing regime. This will ensure policy and regulatory certainty, which is essential for attracting investments to the industry. While this request of COAI has not been addressed, further, in the back reference to DoT issued by TRAI on February 28, 2025, it is noted with concern that the role of TRAI may be diluted as it has been stated that with respect to minor or procedural amendments, the licensor may not seek recommendation from the regulator.
Moreover, Dr Kochhar mentioned that COAI has been advocating that satellite communication (SATCOM) should be used for enhancing the coverage in uncovered rural areas and that there should be a level playing field between terrestrial service providers and SATCOM service providers in all other areas. This important issue has not been addressed by DOT or by TRAI. This non-addressal will adversely affect investors’ sentiments.
Furthermore, he stated that over-the-top (OTT) communication services are not covered under the new Telecom Act as an access service. To address the issues of non-level playing field and ensure adoption of principles of “Same Service Same Rule”, COAI had submitted that these competing and substitutable services should be included under access services authorisation under the new framework. However, till date, the concern with regard to OTT/app-based communication services has neither been addressed by the regulator, nor by the licensor.
