Question : Changes in Telecom Sector

(a) whether the Government proposes to review telecom policy regarding issuance of telecom licences and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether there is a proposal to review and amend the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Act to make effective changes in the sector;

(c) if so, the details thereof and the time by which the same is likely to be affected; and

(d) the steps proposed to be taken by the Government to revive investor confidence in the telecom sector and make it more viable given that the sector has suffered greatly on account of poor Regulatory Orders and excessive litigation?

THE MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)

(a) National Telecom Policy 2012 approved by the Government on 31.05.2012 inter alia provides for simplification of the licensing framework, Unified Licence regime for convergence, spectrum liberalisation and delinking of the licensing of Networks from the delivery of Services to the end users. Currently, there is no proposal to review NTP 2012.

(b)& (c) Comprehensive legislative proposal to review Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Act is under consideration of the Government. It is difficult to specify a time frame for completing the review.

(d) To spur the growth in the telecom sector, a comprehensive Action Plan with specific time frame for each proposed action was approved by the Government on 24.7.2014 wherein the responsibility centres were identified for the action points. Periodic reviews of various action points are being undertaken.

*************