Trai plans paper on mobile CAC, portability

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) is mulling of bringing out two consultation papers, one on mobile number portability and another on mobile carrier access code (CAC). Based on the feedback of the industry, the consultation papers would be made a regulation.

"We are exploring the possibility of coming out with consultation papers for number portability in cellular sector and are also thinking of bringing out one for mobile CAC," chairman Pradip Baijal told Business Standard today.

Number portability is necessary as it would give freedom to select service provider of the user's choice, even while retaining the existing number. This would increase competition and result in operators vying with each other to offer quality service and features, Baijal said.

Technically, it is possible to have number portability and this in the long run would be beneficial to the users and industry, he opined. Most of the telecom industry players are not keen on number portability as it needs a huge investment, apart from resulting in a churn (movement from one operator to another).

The regulator would also take a decision on bringing out a consultation paper on mobile CAC. Certain issues on availability of billing equipment and others were to be sorted out before rolling out of the consultation paper, Baijal said.

Industry majors were of the opinion that CAC in mobile could be introduced in phases as all mobile networks are "gearing up" for the system.

CAC in telecom, if implemented, would enable telephone users to select their carrier, like selecting of an operator by dialling a pre-fixed number before dialling the STD code and user number.

The regime was earlier planned for landline users, but was put on hold as there were no sufficient equipment for monitoring and billing of usage.