The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on August 13, 2025 has issued its response to the back-reference received from Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on the TRAI’s recommendations dated February 17, 2025 on the terms and conditions of network authorisations to be granted under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
Earlier, through a reference dated July 24, 2024 under Section 11(1)(a) of the TRAI Act, 1997, DoT had requested TRAI to provide recommendations on terms and conditions, including fees or charges, for authorisation to establish, operate, maintain or expand telecommunication network as per the provisions of the Telecommunications Act 2023. Further, through an addendum letter dated October 17, 2024, DoT had requested TRAI to consider an authorisation for satellite communication network under section 3(1)(b) of the Telecommunications Act, 2024.
Subsequently, after a comprehensive consultation with stakeholders, TRAI, on February 17, 2025, provided the recommendations on the terms and conditions of network authorisations to be granted under the Telecommunications Act, 2023 to DoT.
Thereafter, on July 03, 2025, DoT sent a back-reference under Section 11(1) of the TRAI Act, 1997 and requested TRAI to provide reconsidered recommendations in respect of some of the recommendations on the terms and conditions of network authorisations to be granted under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, where the Government reached a prima facie conclusion that such recommendations may not be accepted or need modification.
Finally, after analysing the prima facie views of the Government on the TRAI’s recommendations, TRAI has sent its response to the back-reference to DoT.
