According to sources, this may mean curtains for the work done by a high-level inter-ministerial committee to bring out guidelines to deal with the security-related issues of private internet gateways.

The internet policy, announced by the Government late last year, had promised to allow the private sector to set up their own gateways, subject to security clearances.

The Government had subsequently set up an inter-ministerial committee to work out security-related guidelines. The committee is expected to notify its guidelines in couple of weeks.

It may be recalled that minister of communications Jagmohan had gone on record to air his displeasure over allowing the private sector to set up internet gateways.

The idea of Government losing its control over internet gateway access has also not beentaken kindly by existing public sector gateway providers.

Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd (VSNL) has been the primary gateway for internet access since 1995. Other public sector bodies such as Education and Research Network (ERNET), National Informatics Center (NIC) and Software Technology Park of India (STPI) have been offering internet access over earmarked domains.

Government-owned agencies fear a big dent in their revenue if the private sector is allowed to get into internet gateway business.

Following entry of private ISPs, organisations such as STPI were approached by several ISPs for gateway access. "However, the Government's decision to open up the field to private players will mean a big loss for us," said a senior STPI official.

STPI plans to spin-off a separate company to provide gateway access to ISPs.

Once private players are given the go ahead to set up their gateways, it would not take them more than two months to set up their own earth station, say officials.