New telecom policy aims at doing away with roaming fees

Telecom users will be able to avail free roaming and keep their phone numbers even if they switch service providers anywhere in the country, as per the draft New Telecom Policy unveiled by the government today.

The distinction between local and STD calls would vanish, as the policy aims at a 'one-nation-one-licence' regime.

Telecom operators would not require separate licences for operations in various parts of the country and a single licence would suffice.

"We will seek TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) recommendations on new licences, migration to new licences and exit policy," Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal said while releasing the draft policy.

In the wake of the 2G scam, the minister said spectrum allocation would be delinked from licences and radiowaves would be made available at market-determined prices.

As the market is crowded with too many players, the government would also bring an exit policy.