| January 1 |
TRAI released Status Paper on Broadband Speed. The paper analyzed broadband speed as defined in various countries, prevailing environment & impact of growth of broadband on the economy of the country, present broadband infrastructure existing in the country, implications of redefining broadband speed & International experiences.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/523/spaper1jan08.pdf
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| January 2 |
TRAI submitted its recommendations on Growth of Broadband. These recommendations
were similar to the draft recommendations issued on Sept 17, 2007.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/525/recom2jan08.pdf
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| January 3 |
TRAI releases draft recommendations on issues relating to Mobile Television service.
The salient features of the draft recommendations were Private Mobile TV operators be
assigned at least 1 slot of 8 MHz each for operation in UHF Band V from 585 MHz to 806
MHz, Terrestrial transmission infrastructure should be shared, Licenses be granted through a
Closed Tender Bidding System.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/526/draft3jan08.pdf
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| January 4 |
TRAI submitted its Recommendation on Provision of IPTV services. These
recommendations were similar to the draft recommendations issued on Nov 28, 2007.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/527/recom4jan08.pdf
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| January 9 |
COAI submitted its views to the Steering Committee on MNP formed by TRAI stating that COAI supports implementation of MNP subject to fulfillment of the following: Its implementation simultaneously across the country Involving both fixed & mobile services irrespective of technology. Ensuring its implementation in a cost effective & affordable manner.
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| January 11 |
COAI submitted its response on TRAI’s short Consultation on the issue of providing
hard copy of bill free of cost. COAI submitted that all its member operators were already
following the earlier guidelines/ orders of the TRAI regarding this issue.
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| January 11 |
COAI submitted its response on TRAI’s draft recommendations on Mobile TV Service.
COAI submitted the following:
· No separate/ additional license for CMTS/UASL
· License should be as per telecom service areas for 20 years extendable by 10 years.
· Terms & conditions for sharing of infrastructure should be same for private operators &
Doordarshan.
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| January 16 |
TRAI issued Short Consultation on Amendment to the Telecom UCC Regulations, 2007.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/530/Amendment.pdf
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| January 18 |
COAI further submitted its views on MNP to TRAI stating that there should be uniform
implementation across India, the issue of setting up of clearing house should be left to
service providers.
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| January 21 |
TRAI issued Consultation Paper on Access Deficit Charge and its subsumption into
USOF. The key issues raised for consultation were Abolition of ADC from 1.4.2008, Support
to the incumbent (BSNL), after abolition of ADC, from the USO fund for sustaining fixed line
business in non-profitable areas & Lowering of entry barriers for consumers in rural areas.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/532/cpaper21jan08.pdf
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| January 23 |
TRAI submitted its recommendations on issues relating to Mobile Television service.
These recommendations were similar to the draft recommendations issued on Jan 3, 2008.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/535/recom23jan08.pdf
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| January 24 |
TRAI issued a Tariff Amendment Order mandating telecom access service providers to
provide Hard Copy of the Bill Free of Cost to their Post Paid Subscribers.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/PressReleases/537/pr24jan08no15.pdf
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| January 24 |
COAI submitted its response on TRAI’s Consultation Paper on Terms & Conditions for
Publication of Integrated Telephone Directory & NIDQS. COAI stated that the relevance of
printed directory should be re-examined and there should be an opt-in approach for both fixed
& mobile subscribers.
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| January 29 |
TRAI issued Consultation Paper on Issues arising out of Plethora of Tariff Offers in
Access Service Provision. The paper discussed the issues arising out of the plethora of tariff
offers in the access segment and the need to address the consumer issues arising out of it.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/539/pr29jan08no17.pdf
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| January 29 |
COAI submitted its response to TRAI’s Short Consultation Paper on Amendment of
UCC Regulation. COAI submitted that industry is creating awareness regarding NDNC and is
taking all required measures, hence, the proposed regulation should be deferred.
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| February 11 |
COAI submitted its response to TRAI’s Consultation Paper on Phasing out of ADC.
COAI submitted that framework for phase out of ADC is already in place, hence it should be
phased out, financial support for expansion of rural infrastructure should be through USO &
infrastructure sharing should be encouraged.
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| February 26 |
COAI submitted its response on TRAI’s Consultation Paper on Issues arising out of
Plethora of Tariff Offers stating that as long as subscriber is aware of the usage pattern and
details of tariff plans, there is no confusion and add on packs are a tool to provide more choice
to customers.
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| February 27 |
COAI wrote to DoT on the issue of Spectrum Pricing stating that it is not desirable to
hike the spectrum charges as it will adversely impact the industry. In fact, there is a
need to reduce these charges to fulfill telecom objectives.
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| February 28 |
COAI submitted its views on the review of National Numbering Plan stating that entire
level 9 should be made available for PLMN, no exclusive levels to operators, remove 0 dialing
for STD from mobile and no need to change mobile numbers from 10 digits to 11 digits.
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| February 29 |
COAI wrote to WPC on the issue of Relocation/ shifting of Frequency Assignments in
2.5GHz band, stating that 2.5-2.69GHz band be fully preserved as the extension band for 3G
services.
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| March 3 |
COAI requested TRAI to look into the matter of Entry of Virgin Mobile in the Indian
Market stating that the present telecom policy does not permit MVNO or reselling of airtime.
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| March 5 |
COAI made an industry representation on the issue of Rollout Obligations stating:
· Parameters for in-building coverage were not quantified till 2005/06
· Internationally, wireless operators not mandated to provide indoor building coverage
· Various bottlenecks related to rollout should be resolved.
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| March 17 |
TRAI issued Amendment to Telecom Unsolicited Commercial Communications (UCC)
Regulations, 2007 (4 of 2007) making service provider liable to pay an amount not exceeding
Rs.5,000/- for the first non-compliance of the Telecom UCC Regulations, 2007 (4 of 2007) and
in case of second or subsequent such non-compliance, an amount not exceeding Rs.20,000/-
for each such non-compliance and in order to discourage the registered telemarketers from
sending Rs.500/- shall be payable as tariff for each for every first UCC & Rs.1000/- for every
subsequent UCC.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/PressReleases/547/regulation17mar08.pdf
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| March 18 |
COAI & AUSPI jointly wrote to TRAI on the Amendment to Telecom UCC regulation
stating that the Authority should modify the amendment so as to remove the financial
disincentive on service providers.
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| March 20 |
COAI requested TRAI to suitable modify provisions regarding handover in IUC
Regulation to permit carriage handover at SDCA level for Intra Circle Long Distance Calls.
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| March 27 |
TRAI issued ninth amendment to the IUC Regulation with regard to Phasing out of ADC,
TRAI asked the service providers to suggest concrete steps to utilize savings accruing from
phasing out of ADC for overall growth of telecom sector especially for rural areas.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/PressReleases/551/regulation27mar08.pdf
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| March 31 |
COAI requested DoT to abey all the show cause notices issued to its member operators
on the issue of rollout as the Committee formed to look into the matter is yet to take a final
decision.
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| April 17 |
COAI & GSM India organized 3GPP Workshop at New Delhi. The workshop mainly
focused on the 3G Evolution path & technical specification, and on “Ensuring that India’s focused on the 3G Evolution path & technical specification, and on “Ensuring that India’s
requirements are included within 3GPP specifications”.
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