(a) whether Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued a
consultation paper on Interconnection Usage Charges;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether some objections have been raised by certain telecom
operators in this regard;
(d) if so, the details thereof alongwith the reasons therefor; and
(e) the action taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY (SHRI MILIND DEORA)
(a) & (b) Yes, Madam. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued a
consultation paper on Interconnection Usage Charges (IUC) on 27.04.2011. Addendum
to the same was also issued on 29.04.2011.
(c) to (e) TRAI received representation from M/s Vodafone Essar Limited and M/s
Bharti Airtel Limited to review the IUC consultation paper according to direction
given by Hon’ble Telecom Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT)’s
judgment dated 29.09.2010 on the appeal filed by service providers against the
“ Telecommunications Interconnection Usage Charges†( 10th amendment) Regulations,
2009 ( 2 of 2009) dated 09.03.2009. TRAI replied to the contentions made by
service providers and requested them to participate and cooperate in the
consultation process in a positive manner to the benefit of all stakeholders.
M/s Vodafone also filed M. A. No. 153/ 2011 in Hon’ble TDSAT contending,
inter-alia that issues raised in the consultation paper are contrary to the
direction given by Tribunal in its judgment dated 29.09.2010. By its order
dated 13.05.2011, the Hon’ble TDSAT dismissed the said M.A. of M/s Vodafone
being it premature.
TRAI has also filed a Miscellaneous Application in Hon’ble Supreme Court
in the already filed appeal by TRAI against TDSAT’s judgment dated 29.9.2010
inter-alia seeking clarification/ granting suitable directions regarding the
procedure and methodology to be followed. Hon’ble Supreme Court vide order
dated 29.7.2011 has directed the service providers/operators to give the data
to the Regulator in order to enable it to complete the exercise as early as
possible.