Dot, Private Operators To Hold Talks Today
Communications secretary A V Gokak will meet representatives of basic telecom service operators today to try and resolve the impasse between the companies and the department of telecommunications.
The meeting is expected to discuss the issue of assignability of telecom licences, interconnection charges for connecting to DoTs network and other contentious clauses in the licence and interconnect agreements. Sources said a reduction in port charges is likely after the meeting.
Issues like project imports facilities for telecom equipment, infrastructure status for telecom and treatment of licence fees on company balance sheets are also likely to be discussed.
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Inaugurating a seminar on Telecom in the 21st century organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here, Gokak said the government was against deciding anything unilaterally. He added that DoT would adopt an open mind policy in (tomorrows) negotiations without compromising the governments position.
The secretary also said efforts would be made to optimise the use of optic fibres and maximise the use of integrated services digital network to make services more efficient. He released a report prepared by the Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC) on `Telecom Technology Vision 2020.
The chairman of the TIFAC report taskforce, Bishnu D Pradhan said since wireless technologies were going to play increasingly important role in network provision, it was necessary that steps were taken to ensure efficient use of radio frequency spectrum. The CII seminar included presentations on regulatory issues, services, applications, paging, network management, access network and customer premises equipment. The seminar was attended by some 100 participants from industry, government and educational and research institutions.