The Indian telecom industry has welcomed the Kerala Government’s decision to accept the DoT guidelines for clearance for installation of mobile towers.
Rajan S Mathews, director general, COAI; Ashok Sud, secretary general, Association of United Service Providers of India (AUSPI); and Umang Das, director general of TAIPA hailed the decision of the Kerala government.
On 15 March, 2014 the Kerala Government has accorded sanction to the telecom service providers to install new towers, as per the new guidelines, in accordance with the guidelines issued by DoT.
The order regarding the formulation of State and District committees to address public grievances and a nominal one-time fee for issuing permission for installation of towers will be issued separately, from time to time.
Earlier, DoT advised all State Governments to take suitable action for the installation of mobile towers by the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) in line with the guidelines issued by DoT in this regard on 1 August 2013.
DOT guidelines address all the issues related to cell phone operators, infrastructure providers, State governments and TERM Cell of DoT. Recently, DoT had advised the State governments to consult the TERM Cells of each circle while formulating tower guidelines, so that the provisions of the Central guidelines are adhered to.
