TRAI Responds to DoT on Telecom Authorisation Framework Under the 2023 Act

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has responded to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) regarding its feedback on the service authorisation framework under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.

TRAI has reaffirmed its recommendations to streamline regulations and enhance industry growth.

Key Takeaways from TRAI’s Response:

• Government-Led Authorisations: The Central Government should directly grant service authorisations, not through agreements.

  
  

• Clear Service Categories: Authorisations should be structured into Main, Auxiliary, and Captive Services.

  
  

• Support for VNOs: Virtual Network Operators should be allowed under each main service authorisation.

  
  

• Unified Service Authorisation: A national-level authorisation should cover key telecom services.

  
  

  Bank Guarantee: This should be the higher of the first-year amount or 20% of the last two years’ revenue.

  
  

• Revenue Terms: Existing definitions of GR, ApGR, and AGR should remain unchanged.

  
  

• Separate Rules for Satellite & M2M: These services require distinct authorisations due to their unique requirements.

The official notification from TRAI can be referred to at the link below: Feedback on the service authorisation framework