Telecom Lead India: The cabinet has cleared
new telecom policy with some changes from what was proposed earlier. The
new policy will replace more than decade-old rules.
The newly approved policy ideates pan-India single
license under a new unified license regime. Also, the new policy separates
telecoms permits and radio airwaves. Furthermore, the new policy will diminish
the distinction between local and STD calls, as the policy aims at a ‘one-nation-one-licencse’ regime.
Under the new policy,
India will also seek to refarm, or switch, airwave bands held by government
agencies and private telecoms operators “from time to time” to make
way for new technologies,” said Telecom minister Kapil Sibal.
The new telecom policy also paves way for pan-India
Mobile Number Portability which will enable users to retain the same phone
number even while shifting from one circle to another. Also, it will also allow
the users to avail free roaming.
However, no time frame has been given for the
implementation of these new measures. The policy also proposes to boost
domestic manufacturing.
The government would also bring an exit policy, as the
market is getting crowded with newcomers. Also, the new policy will allow
sharing of airwaves among carriers, also seeks to facilitate consolidation in
the crowded market.
Pricing of airwaves will be set through an open auction
process, as it is not part of the telecoms policy.
The new policy aims to provide on demand broadband for
all citizens and increase rural teledensity to 100 percent by 2020.
Now, the government will also relax rules for Internet
telephony under the new policy, a move which will be a positive for companies
such as Reliance Industries that owns nationwide
fourth-generation (4G) mobile broadband spectrum.
Internet telephony is currently allowed in India,
but in a restricted manner.
editor@telecomlead.com