Trai to push DoT for separate license for wholesale access network provider

Trai to again write to DoT arguing its case; move to see creation of new industry vertical in telecom space, bring in more domestic and foreign players

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) is expected to push the Department of Telecom (DoT) again to accept its recommendations on the creation of a separate category of licence for access network provider (ANPs) on a wholesale basis. While DoT had rebuffed the idea, sources said Trai will again write to the department arguing its case, and the issue will be discussed soon.

Last year, Trai recommended that ANPs can build complete telecom networks to provide its services as a vendor to telecom operators, internet services companies, among others, on a wholesale basis. But DoT argued against the idea,