The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has today released a consultation paper on Issues Related to Telecommunications Infrastructure Policy.
The telecommunication sector is a major contributor towards the national economy. Growth in the number of subscribers in India has been considerable and is expected to reach 1 billion by 2014. Growth in telecom services is supported by a robust telecom infrastructure. Conversely, lack of infrastructure can deal a crippling blow to the aspirations of providing a reliable, high quality, world-class infrastructure to the citizens of the country. It follows that for a comprehensive and inclusive growth of the country a sound infrastructure development policy is indispensible.
A pre-consultation paper was issued by the Authority on issues relating to tower infrastructure on 5th February 2010 for obtaining views of the stakeholders. Based on the comments given by the stakeholders and review of earlier recommendations, the scope of consultation paper has been enlarged to cover the entire gamut of telecom infrastructure. There are a number of issues in the domain of telecom infrastructure that remain either unaddressed or the recommendations that have been made by TRAI in the past need reconsideration and review. A consultation paper has been issued today to collectively discuss, debate and finalise measures required.
The full text of the consultation paper is available on TRAI?s website (www.trai.gov.in). Written comments on the issues raised in this consultation paper are invited from the stakeholders by January 31, 2011 and counter-comments on the comments by February 7, 2011.
