One-Nation-One-License, No Roaming charges: Kapil Sibal

Business

oi-Monika

By Monika Nihalani

Published: Tuesday, October 11, 2011, 11:06 [IST]

To bring smile to the faces of millions of mobile subscribers, Union Telecom Minister, Kapil Sibal, released a new telecom policy draft which will free consumers from roaming charges.

Key highlights of New Telecom Policy:

The new policy idealizes a 'one-nation-one-license' approach which implies telecom operators will not have to apply for separate licenses in every circle and the single license would suffice.

Consumers will not have to pay roaming charges and the distinction between local and STD calls would no longer exist.

The policy will allow the telecom operators to share, pool and trade the spectrum. Now the telecom spectrum will be available in more affordable and at market-determined prices.

The policy introduces Pan-India license that implies mobile number portability will be available for the users nationwide.

The policy also proposes providing high speed broadband i.e. the broadband speed will go up more than 10 times by 2014.

"The primary objective of the National Telecom Policy-2011 is maximizing public good by making available affordable, reliable and secure telecommunication and broadband services across the country," Kapil Sibal said while releasing the document.

“We will seek TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) recommendations on new licences, migration to new licences and exit policy,” Mr Sibal said while announcing the policy.

Telecom companies are bit concerned with this new policy as it will impact on their revenues for short term but the move is definitely going to increase the usage of services. Roaming charges at present account for 8%of the their revenue.

The things are yet on the paper and policy is expected to be finalised by December, the minister said.

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