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GOT-IT opts for parity on WiLL

BS ICE Bureau

In an effort to provide a level playing field, the Group of Telecom and IT has recommended bringing the interconnect tariffs of basic operators wanting to offer limited mobility to the same level of cellular operators.

This essentially means that the basic operators will have to pay 95 per cent of their revenues to BSNL/MTNL as interconnect tariffs and retain only 5 per cent of the revenues resulting in additional revenues for BSNL/MTNL.

Basic operators offering fixed line services are currently required to pay only 40 per cent of the revenues to the long distance carrier and retain 60 per cent.

Sources close to the GOT-IT said that in order to increase the teledensity of the country, basic operators wanting to provide limited mobility at Rs 1.20 per three minute (same as the existing tariffs for fixed line services) will be given spectrum in groups of three whereby roll out of limited mobility in a urban city should simultaneously be accompanied with a rollout in one rural area and one semi urban area.

Sources also said that the Group in its report has broadly indicated that there was no need for referring the issue of allowing limited mobility for a third time to any other agency, including the Trai.

Meanwhile, the GOT-IT on Thursday submitted its report on the issue of providing limited mobility to the prime minister. The Group, headed by Yashwant Sinha, met the PM late Thursday evening to submit its report.

Pramod Mahajan, minister of information and technology, told reporters outside the Prime Minister's residence, "The Prime Minister will give his comments within 24 hours."

Though Mahajan refused to divulge the recommendations of the Group, he said that the report will be made public along with the PM comments on Friday.

Mahajan said, "We have come to a unanimous decision on each and every aspect of the report and have given our comments on all the terms of reference."

He said that all members of the group, (which includes the chief vigilance commissioner) has signed on the report.

The Cellular Operators Association of India has said they will move the court that if TDSAT gives an unfavourable ruling in its hearing on May 9.

The issue of limited mobility was referred to the GOT-IT by the Prime Minister early this month after cellular operators and political parties had accused the government of catering to the interest of a few players.

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