TRAI Grants Extension For Submissions On Telecom Authorisation Terms

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has extended the deadline for submitting comments and counter-comments on its Consultation Paper regarding the Terms and Conditions of Network Authorisations under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.

Initially released on 22 October 2024, the Consultation Paper raised 37 questions and sought feedback from stakeholders. The original deadline for submitting comments was 12 November 2024 and for counter-comments, it was 19 November 2024. However, in response to requests from stakeholders for more time, TRAI has extended the deadlines - comments are now due by 19 November 2024 and counter-comments by 26 November 2024.

The 166-page consultation paper addresses various issues and seeks input on the terms and conditions for authorising the establishment, operation, maintenance or expansion of telecommunications networks under the new Telecom Act. It follows a letter from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) dated 26 July 2024, asking TRAI to provide recommendations on the terms, conditions, fees and charges for network authorisations. Additionally, a DoT letter dated 17 October 2024, requested that TRAI consider satellite communication networks under the same regulatory framework.

Among the key topics in the consultation paper are the inclusion of specific telecommunication equipment in the scope of ‘in-building solution’ (IBS), whether there should be a merger of Infrastructure Provider-I (IP-I) and Digital Connectivity Infrastructure Provider (DCIP) authorisations and the necessary eligibility criteria, operational scope and conditions for such a merger.

The paper also solicits input on the authorisation of Satellite Earth Station Gateways (SESG).

"Whether there is a need to make any changes in the eligibility conditions, area of operation, validity period of authorisation, scope, and terms & conditions (general, technical, operational, security) of the Satellite Earth Station Gateway (SESG) authorisation, as recommended by TRAI on November 29, 2022? If yes, what changes should be made in the eligibility conditions, area of operation, validity period of authorisation, scope, and terms & conditions (general, technical, operational, security etc.) of the SESG authorisation", it stated.