Trai seeks telco comments on account reporting system review

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has sought views of service operators and industry bodies COAI and AUSPI on the aspects that should be covered while reviewing the accounting reporting system of the telecom companies.

The telecom regulator is in the process of reviewing the Reporting System on Accounting Separation Regulation (ASR), 2004.

"The objective of this exercise is to bring in an updated 'Reporting System' which covers all the requirements of current times and which would have validity for the foreseeable future also," Trai said in a statement.

ASR provides information on revenues, costs, returns and capital employed in major areas of a service provider's business and enable the regulator to address anti-competitive behaviour, discrimination and predatory pricing concerns for facilitating fair competition.

Trai is also in the process of appointing a consultant to review the ASR. "The active participation of the service providers and association will be of immense importance during the review exercise," it said.

The major aspects expected to be covered in the review include existing accounting principles and methods and the impact of IFRS/IND-AS (accounting standards) on the accounts of telecom operators.

It would also be examined if the content and formats of the existing ASR are helping in achievement of regulatory objectives. Standardisation of the formats so as to fit in with the on-line data collection and Management Information System of the Trai will also be reviewed.

The frequency of reporting requirement and other issues connected with auditing and accountability in the submission of ASR would also be discussed.

"Telecom Service Providers Associations and Service Providers are, therefore, requested to send in comments/views on the aspects to be covered during the review process to the undersigned within 15 days," Trai said.