(a) the criteria for classifying telecom services as Fixed Line, Fixed Wireless Phone (FWP) and Mobile phones;
(b) whether private operators have not been successful in the wireline segment;
(c) if so, the reasons therefor; and
(d) the steps being taken by the Government in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (DR. SHAKEEL AHMAD)
(a) In case of Fixed Line and Fixed Wireless phones the subscriber connection is strictly confined to the premises of the subscriber where the telephone connection is registered whereas in case of mobile phones the subscriber can move within the Short Distance Charging Area, service area or across service area.
(b) & (c) The licences are technology neutral and private operators are free to provide connections by wireline or wireless technologies to their subscribers. As per the available information the private operators have provided 8,83,874 wireline connections till 31-10-2005 which is less in comparison to mobile phones provided by them.
(d) Since licences are technology neutral, no steps are required to be taken by the Government in this regard.