New Telecom Policy focuses on issues such as number portability, implementation of CAC, etc.

The New Telecom Policy (NTP) being drafted by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to replace the existing policy is focusing on issues such as number portability, implementation of the carrier access code (CAC), setting up of an ombudsman, and unbundling of last mile access for broadband services. The core committee of DoT has also recommended that guidelines for mergers and acquisitions (M&As) be included in the NTP, 2005. Currently, there are separate guidelines for M&As. The draft policy has set a target of achieving a teledensity of 22 per cent by 2007 and 30 per cent by 2010. The teledensity at present is above 10 per cent. By 2007, all the villages are expected to be connected by the telecom network.

The draft policy also envisages a broadband penetration of 20 million and an internet penetration of 40 million by 2010.