Cell operators to seek access deficit data

Cellular operators want the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) to share details such as segment-wise reporting of financials, traffic data and the amount of access deficit charge (ADC) collected by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL).

The operators have reasoned that the availability of such information will help them provide "meaningful inputs" to the Trai's March 17 consultation paper on reviewing the existing interconnection user charges (IUC), and help "arrive at an ADC amount that meets the social objectives of the telecom players without over-burdening the existing users".

Details asked for by cellular operators included "financial data on deficit in fixed access business after accounting separation of BSNL accounts into licenced service categories", and also how much ADC has been collected since the regime was first implemented in May 2003.

"We would want Trai to transparently share with us these data which will help us to evaluate and provide meaningful inputs to the current consultation process," said Cellular Operators' Association of India (COAI) in a letter to the regulator today.

While acknowledging that interconnection framework and charges were amongst the contentious issues that confronted the industry, COAI also pointed out that the issue of ADC was directly linked with IUC charges as it constituted a substantial portion of the industry revenues, and its quantum had a significant impact, both on the competitiveness of players and the costs of the industry.

At present, Trai relies on approximations sample data made available by BSNL for the purpose of arriving at the quantum of ADC.

Recently, it had also accepted BSNL's explanation about its inability to file its minutes of usage, and has allowed the service provider to continue submitting its sample data.