Speaking at a seminar on Internet Service Providers and the New Telecom Policy, organised by Assocham, N Vittal, chairman, Central Vigilance Commission, and a key architect of the 1994 Telecom Policy, said that the industry should continue its efforts to put across its views to the government. Vittal said that it was important to resolve the issue of migration of the existing players to revenue-sharing regime at the earliest.Welcoming the New Telecom Policy (NTP), Hughes Escort Communications Ltd chief executive Shashi Ullal said that the responsibility of the government does not end by announcing a policy. "The government has to take all steps to implement the NTP," he said.

Assochampresident KP Singh expressed hope the prime minister would take a holistic view of the problems faced by the operators.

The fate of current operators has lead to uncertainty in the whole industry, added Telecom Industry and Service Association president PK Sandell.Suggesting amendments in the new policy, Vittal said that spectrum management system should be done by an independent authority such as the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). Under the new telecom policy, spectrum management is sought to be regulated by an inter-ministerial group called Wireless Planning & Co-ordination (WPC) as part of the ministry of communications.

Vittal was also in favour of removing the ban on internet telephony in the country. As a boost to the ISP policy, Vittal strongly advocated the issue of an ordinance to put cyber laws in place in the country.

Speaking on the occasion, Planning Commission member Montek Singh Ahluwalia said the new telecom policy must put to an end cross-subsidisation of tariff. Anyessential subsidy for target groups must come out of government budgets, he said. He said the new policy must end monopolies, be it by the government or private. Ahluwalia also made a strong case for allowing internet telephony in the country. The policy structure should facilitate convergence of technology and allow customers access to benefits of convergence, he added.