The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has asked operators, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) and the Association of Unified Telecom Service Providers of India (AUSPI) for their views on telecom companies? accounting reporting system.
The regulator is in the process of reviewing the Reporting System on Accounting Separation Regulation (ASR), 2004. In a statement, TRAI said, “The objective of this exercise is to update the reporting system, which covers all of the sector?s current requirements and which would be valid for the foreseeable future as well.?.
ASR provides information on revenues, costs, returns and capital employed in an operator?s business and enables the regulator to address anti-competitive behaviour, discrimination and facilitate fair competition.
TRAI is also in the process of appointing a consultant to review the ASR. “Active participation of the service providers and associations will be of immense importance during the review exercise,” the statement added.
Aspects likely to be covered in the review include existing accounting principles and methods and the impact of accounting standards on operators? accounts. An examination of whether the content and formats of the existing ASR facilitate meeting regulatory objectives will also be undertaken.
Also, various issues connected with the auditing and accountability of ASR would also be discussed. TRAI?s statement also said, “Telecom associations and service providers are, therefore, requested to send in their comments or views on the aspects to be covered during the review process to the undersigned within 15 days.?
