No relaxation in roll-out obligations for telcos

"It (intra-circles roaming arrangement) is a matter between two service providers and has no relation with Roll-Out Obligations imposed on the Licensee, DoT said in a letter to the new licensee Swan Telecom who had sought clarification on the same.     

"There is no change or relaxation in the roll-out obligations. The Licensee has to fulfil the obligations as specified in Unified Access Service Licence," it added.     

At times of emergency intra-circle service is essential, and this has now been permitted but it is not mandatory. So, the existing operators may choose not to provide the facility to the new entrants or vice versa.     

DoT has suggested that Trai can prescribe tariffs for the intra-circle roaming arrangements. At present, for inter circle roaming, Trai imposes tariff ceilings and not an absolute charge/rentals.     

Upcoming service providers can go for an arrangement with spectrum abundant telcos for intra-circle sharing until they roll out their own services. However, Trai's prescription for tariff on intra-circle roaming becomes critical in this case.     

Last month in a circular, DoT said "A licensee may enter into mutual commercial agreements for intra-service area roaming facilities with other cellular operators."     

The circular said roaming arrangements are normally entered into by access service providers for service area for which they do not have licence to provide service.