Call for speedy settlement of telecom disputes

Calling for an effective and speedy resolution of telecom disputes through alternative means of settlement, representatives from the legal and regulatory authorities presented their views at a seminar on 'Dispute resolution scenario and protection of consumer rights in the telecom and broadcasting sector' held here on Saturday.

The seminar was organised by the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT).

According to Bilal Nazki, acting chief justice, Andhra Pradesh High Court, there are 15,000 billing disputes pending in Andhra Pradesh. "Therefore, an alternative method for dispute resolution is required. We are already making efforts in this regard through the Lok Adalat."

D P Wadhwa, former judge, Supreme Court of India, and former chairperson of TDSAT, said that the failure to resolve disputes quickly and fairly can inflict serious damage on the economy and discourage investment in the telecom sector.

S N Variava, judge, Supreme Court of India, recommended setting up of a counselling cell as an alternative method for dispute resolution. There is a need for expeditious and fair settlement of disputes, he asserted.

Giving an overview on the telecom scenario in India, D P S Seth, member of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), said, "Around 70 per cent of Indian population is still unexposed to mobile and wireless services. Although urban teledensity is increasing, rural teledensity is flat."

He added that future growth is expected through greater exposure of population to wireless services besides development of content-rich services like digital maps, virtual private networks, video conferencing, interaction with government etc.

"However, in the light of emerging new technologies, there is a need to simplify existing licensing procedures to ease market entry and operations and create a set of stand-alone regulations so that issues such as inter-connection, quality of service, besides spectrum and number allocation can be addressed comprehensively," Seth said.