TRAI to soon launch a pre-consultative paper on an exit policy for operators

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) reportedly plans to soon introduce a pre-consultation paper on the possible exit policy for operators.

Prior to this, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had asked TRAI to formulate the details of an exit policy for service providers wishing to exit the sector.

Also, the Telecom Commission had already approved the proposal for an exit policy. Under current licencing norms, there is no exit route for operators who have obtained a telecom licence.

Under the current terms, a pan India operator has to pay Rs 16.50 billion for such a licence, but does not have the option to surrender it with the 4.4 MHz start-up spectrum and obtain a refund of the entry fee.