Telecommunications in India - Recent Government Policies and Growth Targets

Recent Government Policies and Growth Targets

  • All villages shall receive telecom facilities by the end of 2002.
  • A Communication Convergence Bill introduced in the Parliament on 31 August 2001 is presently before the Standing Committee of Parliament on Telecom and IT.
  • National Long Distance Service (NLD) is opened for unrestricted entry.
  • The International Long Distance Services (ILDS) have been opened to competition.
  • The basic services are open to competition.
  • In addition to the existing three, a fourth cellular operator, one each in four metros and thirteen circles, has been permitted. Cellular operators have been permitted to provide all types of mobile services including voice and non-voice messages, data services and PCOs utilising any type of network equipment, including circuit and/or package switches that meet certain required standards.
  • Policies allowing private participation have been announced as per the New Telecom Policy (NTP), 1999 in several new services, which include Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) Service, digital Public Mobile Radio Trunked Service (PMRTS) and Voice Mail/ Audiotex/ Unified Messaging Services.
  • Wireless Local Loop (WLL) has been introduced to provide telephone connections in urban, semi-urban and rural areas promptly.
  • Two telecom PSUs, VSNL and HTL have been disinvested.
  • Steps are being taken to fulfill Universal Service Obligation (USO), funding, and administration.
  • A decision to permit Community Phone Service has been announced.
  • Multiple Fixed Service Providers (FSPs) licensing guidelines were announced.
  • Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have been allowed to set up International Internet Gateways, both Satellite and Landing stations for submarine optical fibre cables.
  • Two categories of infrastructure providers have been allowed to provide end-to-end bandwidth and dark fibre, right of way, towers, duct space etc.
  • Guidelines have been issued by the Government to open up Internet telephony (IP).

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