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NEW DELHI, DECEMBER 27: Concerned over huge revenue loss due to gray market operations and slow broadband offtake, the government plans to review the policy of Internet services and has asked telecom regulator TRAI for its recommendations.
The loss of government revenue, unlicensed operation by certain firms and depleting market share of licensed operators are some of the reasons that necessitated a review of policy of Internet services and ISP licensing conditions, TRAI said in a consultation paper that sought views from stakeholders.
In the review, the department of telecom would address key issues such as large number of isp licenses, grey market operations, level playing field vis-a-vis other licensed telecom service and slow growth of broadband services.
Telecom regulatory authority of India observed that though 389 isps have so far been given licenses to operate Internet services, the top 20 cover 98 per cent subscribers.
Similarly, while Internet telephony has been permitted to 128 ISPs, only 32 are providing the service.
With the slow growth of Internet and broadband, it was not likely to achieve the target of 18 million Internet subscribers and 9 million broadband connections by 2007, the regulator said. |