With recurrent interconnection problems among operators, including Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited, breathing down its neck, the Department of Telecom has set up a working group to draft some standard guidelines for resolving the problem and also take care of the teething payment disputes.
The group, to be headed by the joint secretary DoT, will examine the present status of provisioning of interconnection and will review the existing licence provisions keeping in view the judgements pronounced by various authorities and changes in telecom scenario in line with introduction of Interconnect Usage Charge regime from fixed revenue sharing from long distance calls.
The group will seek views of its members on interconnections and then frame norms for the operators to follow so that this problem does not spiral out of control and causes inconvenience to customers.
The Telecom and Regulatory Authority of India, after having been stripped off interconnection dispute resolving power by Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal is incapable at present if one operator does not give interconnection to the other. This leaves DoT as the licensor to ensure this basic condition fulfilment as giving interconnection to other operators is a licence condition.
The other members are DDG (basic services), DoT and Direct or (operations) BSNL besides both telecom associations -- Cellular Operator Association of India and Association of Unified Telecom Service Providers of India.
The group's terms of reference also include suggesting appropriate actions for speedy interconnections, DoT officials said.
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