Question : Internet Telephony

(a) whether the Government proposes to introduce internet telephony system in the country and if so, the details and the benefits thereof;

(b) whether the said facility will be available in flights and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the telecom operators will charge more than the usual for such services and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether a customer has to change SIM card/Mobile number to activate the said services and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the likely benefit the customers will get from this new service and the cost involved therein?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS &
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) Madam, the Unified licenses under the Access Service authorization are already permitted to provide Internet Telephony. Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has also issued a clarification dated 19th June, 2018 in this regard (copy enclosed as Annexure-I). A copy of Unified Licence amendment is enclosed as Annexure-II.

(b) At present, in-flight connectivity on aircraft is not permitted in India. The facility of internet telephony can be offered once in-flight connectivity is allowed by the Govt.

(c) Tariff for telecom access services is under forbearance except for national roaming and rural fixed telephony services. No tariff is specified for Internet Telephony services or in-flight services. The charges to be levied for different types of calls/data are decided by the service provider taking into account several factors including the input costs, level of competition and other commercial considerations.

(d) No, Madam. A customer is not required to change SIM/Mobile number to activate the internet telephony.

(e) This will enable subscribers to make calls from places where cellular network coverage is poor but internet service of any internet service provider is available.