Trai issues interconnect rules, fixes stiff fine for violation

Trai has also laid down 'formula' that would act as ceiling for bank guarantees in case of interconnection, instead of current practice of such guarantees being negotiated between operators

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has tightened the network connectivity rules by mandating a 30-day deadline for firms to ink interconnection pacts on a non-discriminatory basis. It has also fixed a daily penalty of up to Rs 100,000 per service area for violations.

The ‘Telecom Interconnection Regulations 2018’ are to come into force from February 1 and assume significance as Reliance Jio and other telcos clashed over network connectivity issues and inadequate ports in the past.

Jio, the new entrant, had accused established operators such as Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular of not giving it sufficient Points of Interconnect (PoIs),