The Cabinet is likely to take a decision on the National Telecom Policy (NTP) tomorrow. If approved, the policy would pave the way to free national roaming.
The issue was scheduled to be discussed at a Cabinet meeting last week. However, it was removed from the agenda before the meeting. Though the reason for this couldn’t be ascertained, officials said the information and broadcasting ministry had sought more details on the unified licence regime.
NTP 2012 seeks to create a unified licensing authority for all types of licences, except those for broadcast. The policy is set to replace the 13-year-old New Telecom Policy 1999 that currently governs the sector.
The policy also proposes to de-link spectrum from licences, reduce the number of licences, provide more liberal merger and acquisition norms to the industry and do away with roaming charges.
In April, the Department of Telecommunications, in a note to the Cabinet, had sought approval for a few decisions relating to the introduction of the unified licence regime.
