Access deficit charge regime

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) is in favour of moving towards a revenue-based access deficit charge regime, as demanded by cellular operators,Trai Chairman Pradip Baijal today said.

"Private operators have been demanding that the ADC levy be based on revenues, and not on call minutes, and we are gradually moving towards that regime," Baijal told reporters here.

According to him, the recommendations on the next round of ADC review would be announced next-month.

Meanwhile, Bharti Chairman and Group Managing Director Sunil Mittal said his company was looking forward to a reduced access deficit charge as well as taxes and would pass on the benefits to its customers.

"The sector is burdened with heavy taxes as well as the access deficit charge. If these are cut, we will pass on the benefits within an hour to our customers," Mittal told reporters.

Mittal also welcomed Trai's initiative to bring out a consultation paper on number-portability and added that the facility must be extended to landline users too.