The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released a consultation paper titled “Introduction of Digital Connectivity Infrastructure Provider Authorisation under Unified Licence (UL)”.
Recently, TRAI received a reference from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) through a letter dated August 11, 2022, seeking recommendations regarding the creation of a new category of licence namely “Telecom Infrastructure Licence (TIL)”, along with the terms and conditions of such licence, applicable licence fee etc.
According to TRAI, digital connectivity infrastructure plays a vital and leading role in the successful implementation of various government schemes under Digital India, Make in India, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission and the development of smart cities. TRAI added that the recently-launched 5G will transform India into a broadband superhighway and improve the country’s socioeconomic structure. It is imperative that new players are encouraged through a conducive licencing framework for the creation of active and passive infrastructure.
The purpose of this consultation paper is to seek the views of stakeholders on the proposed digital connectivity infrastructure provider authorisation under UL. TRAI has invited written comments from stakeholders by March 9, 2023, and counter-comments, if any, by March 23, 2023.
