Question : INTERNET TELEPHONY

(a) whether the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) held open sessions to elicit public opinion before formulating its recent recommendations to the Government on the introduction of Internet Telephony in the country;

(b) whether the Government have now received requests to put the recommendations on the Website so as to elicit public opinion once again;

(c) if so, whether the repetition of this process is likely to cause further delay in the implementation of TRAI`s recommendations; and

(d) if so, steps the Government propose to take to avoid the delay and to introduce the Internet Telephony at the earliest?

THE MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS AND COMMUNICATIONS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI PRAMOD MAHAJAN)

(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT TO BE LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE LOK SABHA IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) to (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 344 FOR 17TH APRIL, 2002 REGARDING INTERNET TELEPHONY.


(a) Yes, Sir.

(b) to (d): As opening up of Internet Telephony would have impact on all the categories of Telecom Service Providers, comments were invited from all the interested parties on the recommendations of TRAI by putting the recommendations on the website of the Ministry before taking a final decision. Guidelines for offering Internet Telephony Services have already been issued on 21st March, 2002. Since government had decided to open Internet Telephony only from 1st April, 2002, there has been no delay in allowing introduction of Internet Telephony.