Trai unhappy with DoT`s intra-circle roaming move

Telecom regulator Trai has questioned the government’s move to allow roaming within a circle, saying it may affect the quality of services of existing players.

In a letter to Telecom Secretary Siddartha Behura, Trai Chairman Nripendra Misra said in case of intra-service area (within a state) roaming, if the new service providers start their services with a limited infrastructure, the network in which their subscribers will roam, will show an artificial and temporary upswing.

“This will create a situation where the spectrum with the new service providers will lie unused while that of the service provider whose network has been used for roaming facility will be heavily used. This may affect the quality of service and require a re-look at the present allocation methodology,” the letter says.

 

Interestingly, Trai uploaded the letter, written last month, on its website today.

The telecom regulator said national roaming ensures a level playing field for the new service provider and encourages fair competition among all the service providers, both new and existing.

This facility was permitted for bridging the infrastructure gaps in the network of the service providers.

Earlier, Trai had objected to the entry of foreign players in the 3G mobile telephony segment, saying this would delay the rollout process as also hit affordability of the service.

Though the mobile operators are free to enter into intra-circle roaming arrangements, they should not consider it as a substitute for spreading of network envisaged under the rollout obligations, the letter said.

Trai also said the DoT should clearly specify that the coverage provided to a subscriber of a new licensee shall not be counted towards rollout obligation of the new licensee in the service area, in case it has been acquired through commercial agreement with any other licensee.

The expectations was that it (intra-circle roaming) will be temporary in nature and the service providers would ensure adequate coverage by rolling out its network in a prescribed timeframe.

The UASL/CMTS licenses have specific roll-out obligations, which are given in detail in the license conditions.