TRAI hails uniform call rates

Welcoming the concept of uniform call rates across India, proposed by Communication and IT Minister Dayanidhi Maran, Telecom regulator TRAI on Tuesday said this was a progressive step forward and it would take Indian telecom sector to new highs.

"It is a progressive step..," Pradip Baijal, chairman, TRAI said.

The concept known as 'OneIndia', which calls for an uniform rate across India regardless of distance has wider tariff implications as access deficit charge, interconnections and standard tariffs all need to be reworked apart from changing licensing terms and conditions which currently allows only the national long distance players to carry inter-circle traffic.

Players divided on OneIndia

Asked if such a move should have been under TRAI's ambit, which is the sole authority of telecom tariffs, Baijal said, "The government has powers over TRAI. They can lay down any policy or can give broader policy direction on any matter to us (TRAI)".

TRAI had earlier given its suggestions on unified licensing regime where a service provider could offer all kinds of services including NLD, broadcasting paying certain entry fee under single licence. The decision on this is pending with the government.

Earlier, the regulator had issued recommendations on the crucial issue of spectrum where it had suggested setting up of a GoM to oversee the implementation of the suggestions, which was described by Minister Dayanidhi Maran as 'exceeding the mandate'.