The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released a consultation paper titled ‘Connectivity to Access Service Virtual Network Operators (VNOs) from more than one Network Service Operator (NSO)’.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), through a reference dated July 7, 2023, requested TRAI to provide its recommendations under Section 11(1)(a) of the TRAI Act, 1997 (as amended) on the following issues in respect of connectivity to access service VNOs from more than one NSO
- An appropriate number of NSOs with whom VNOs have access service authorisation and provide wireline services can be permitted to take connectivity in a licensed service area (LSA)
- VNOs having access service authorisation and providing both wireless and wireline services can be permitted to take connectivity from one NSO for wireless services and another NSO for wireline services in an LSA.
In this regard, TRAI has sought comments from stakeholders on the issues raised in the consultation paper. Some of these issues include the maximum number of NSOs from whom a VNO licensee holding access service authorisation should be permitted to take connectivity in an LSA for providing wireline access service; the associated terms and conditions for permitting such connectivity; whether a VNO licensee should be permitted to take connectivity from one NSO for wireless access service and other NSO(s) for wireline access service in the LSA; and any other relevant issues or suggestions related to the parenting of licensees holding access service authorisation under VNO.
Written comments on the issues raised in the consultation paper are invited from stakeholders by March 22, 2024, and counter-comments by April 5, 2024.
