Telcos oppose cheap domestic Net calls for ISPs

[icar]

GSM and CDMA operators have opposed allowing internet service providers (ISPs) to offer cheap PC-to-phone calls in India unless they acquire licences, pay entry fee and be subjected to the same levies as telcos. Firms such as Google, Microsoft and consumer rights organisations have supported the ISP Association of India (ISPAI) in its stand that ISPs be allowed to offer such services while paying a termination fee to telecom operators.

Trai had issued a consultation paper on whether ISPs should be allowed to offer PC-to-phone calls within India and asked for comments from stakeholders in May. Currently, a subscriber can dial a phone abroad from a PC using internet telephony but can’t use the same technology to make a domestic phone call.

This is because ISPs are not allowed to have interconnection with PSTN/PLMN (landline/mobile) network.

In its response to a Trai consultation paper, GSM operators’ association, Cellular Operators’ Association of India (COAI), said, “If ISPs are allowed to provide internet telephony services to PSTN/PLMN, they de facto become access providers and would necessarily have to acquire a UAS licence in order to ensure level-playing field.” It said that ISPs should be subject to the same entry fee, licence fee, revenue share and other terms and conditions as applicable to existing licensees.

It suggested that ambiguities related to clarity on the definition and scope of the service, issues related to the numbering plan and interconnection be removed so that existing operators can offer Internet telephony services.

“With 12-14 access providers already present in every service area, we believe that there will be ample competition in this service segment to give consumers the benefit of choice as well as affordability,” it added.

Agreeing with COAI, the Association of Unified Telecom Service Providers of India (AUSPI), the CDMA operators’ body, said that only UASL operators should be permitted to provide internet telephony within the country as per the licence conditions.

Telecom operators Airtel, BSNL and Reliance Communications, in their individual responses, concurred with the views taken by their representative bodies.

Stating that ISPs should be allowed to offer internet telephony within the country, ISPAI has asked for amendments to the existing licence conditions. It said that ISPs pay 85% of their revenues to telcos for using their resources as well as 6% of their revenues to the government.

“Access providers will also get termination charges so there will be a win-win situation for ISPs as well as operators,” it added.

Telcos oppose cheap domestic Net calls for ISPs- Telecom-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times

 

[gregory house]

The tanga walas of Pune did not like it when motorized public transport came into the picture. Same is the case with the telecom industry. Having paid ridiculous sums of money for their licenses, they can't swallow the idea that consumers can now make cheap telephone calls via the internet. That said, the govt. is equally to blame for the mess. They will never give up their habit of squeezing every one to the last drop, the ban on pc-to-phone calls being a result of that mentality.

 

[Sushubh]

yet they do nothing to improve the infrastructure or improve the quality of life or implement the existing policies (health, education)... blah blah blah.

 

[rachit_1804]

the scene today is that i make free phone calls to more than a few dozen countries but i have to pay to call within india. thats ridiculous. these people should adopt the world standards

 

[mshiva]

They are mean (like me:evil.

 

[icar]

TRAI recommendations on Internet telephony in 60 days KOLKATA: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) would submit its recommendations to the Government on Internet telephony in the next two months.
Mr R N Prabhakar, Member, TRAI said on the sidelines of an open house on Internet telephony that they would submit their recommendations to DoT within two months.
In the consultation paper prepared by TRAI, the regulator had said that allowing fixed line and wireless mobile connectivity to Internet service providers (ISPs) would provide a cheaper option to subscribers for making domestic and international long dis tance calls.
He also said this may act as a catalyst in boosting broadband penetration in the country, which was abysmally low.
It would also help the callers in getting cheaper tariffs as compared to call charges on fixed line and cellular were relatively on the higher side.
In the open house, cellular service operators sought a level playing field if the Government allows ISPs to provide fixed-line and mobile services in the country. - PTI

The Hindu Business Line : TRAI recommendations on Internet telephony in 60 days

 

[rachit_1804]

^^ that means we can expect internet telephony perhaps in 2 years.btw 3g has taken much much longer & so has number portability.they will file recommendations, then COAI will go to the courts & waste time & crap

 

[srinirao]

It really happened now. Did you see today's news paper.All STD phone calls to be come 30-50paise and local calls to become almost FREE ...Isn't that a great news ?

 

[mammu]

Lobbying and election funds by companies plays a great part.