Super Data Network Likely

The Union government is set to allow all telecom and data networks in India to interconnect directly with one another for purposes of data connectivity.

This follows "technology options" that have been worked out by the Prime Minister's information technology (IT) task force to prevent the misuse of such interconnectivity.

The move will break the monopoly of the department of telecommunications (DoT) in the data transmission and connectivity business since it will amount to networks connecting among one another without going through the department. Currently, all networks have to have their points of interconnect through DoT.

It is significant because networks of basic and cellular companies, V-SAT operators, Internet service providers and data service companies, besides data backbone operators (potentially, the Indian Railways and PowerGrid Corporation) will be able to interconnect with one another, thereby giving rise to a `super network', similar to that of DoT.

N Seshagiri, member-convenor of the IT task force, said, "We are in the process of working out some technology and legal options (to assuage the fears of DoT)." The IT task force in its report had recommended that networks be allowed to interconnect with one another, but the proposal was not cleared by the government.

The recommendation reads, "Networks such as NICNET, STPs, as well as private networks shall be allowed inter-connectivity without necessarily having to go through the DoT's INET network." NICNET is the data and multimedia network of the National Informatics Centre under the home ministry, while

STPs stand for software technology parks, administered by the department of electronics.

Seshagiri explained that the fears of DoT were based on the potential misuse of the interconnected networks. This is so because there is no way to distinguish whether it is data or voice being carried by a network.

Therefore, DoT feels that allowing networks to connect with one another for data exchange will leave the potential for misuse and they may carry voice traffic on their networks.

Voice telecom traffic is reserved for the department until 1999, when the government has committed (to the World Trade Organisation) a review of its monopoly status. Similarly, the monopoly of Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd (VSNL) over international telecom traffic is subject to review in 2004.

At a cabinet meeting on July 24, the government cleared interconnectivity between government data networks and closed user groups like V-SAT networks. This followed an earlier decision to permit creation of `broadbased user group' (BUG) networks which would enable transcations between networks.