GSM industry body seeks to postpone IUC open house

Seeking to postpone the July 20 open house discussion on interconnect usage charges, industry body COAI has said the telecom regulator was acting in “undue haste” to conclude the review. In a letter dated July 17, Cellular Operators Association of India said on one hand Trai ignored requests for sharing the cost model adopted by it, and on the other, it scheduled the open house in quick succession to the workshop on July 18.

COAI said Trai was following the process mechanically rather than sharing the models, having deliberations and finally coming up with the regulation, a requirement under the Trai Act. COAI sought the open house be held at least four weeks after the sharing the IUC cost models so that they could contribute effectively to the discussion. On Tuesday, some operators sought the open house be postponed. But Sharma said the consultation paper was released on October 21 last year.