(a) whether the Government propose to make a new policy for allowing the entry of private sector in the field of long distance telecom services; and
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?
(a) whether the Government propose to make a new policy for allowing the entry of private sector in the field of long distance telecom services; and
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI TAPAN SIKDAR)
(a) & (b) - Entry of private sector in the field of long distance telecom services is already envisaged in the New Telecom Policy` 1999 (NTP` 99). This was with a view to promote setting up long distance bandwidth capacity in the country, provide a choice to the consumers and promote competition. With a view to achieve these objectives all access providers are to be mandatorily required to provide interconnection to the long distance operators resulting in choice for the subscribers.