Cell operators want regulator to share data

GSM-based cellular operators have approached the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) requesting that it share its data with them on fixed wireless services (FWT) being offered by private operators.

In a representation to Trai, the Cellular Operators' Association of India (COAI) said, "The data requested from the authority would have a significant financial implication and (have) a major bearing on the ongoing interconnect user charge and access deficit charge (ADC) review."

"The data must include the number of FWT connections since inception, the average minutes of use and the average revenue per user on these lines," the letter said.

The rationale behind COAI's move to approach the regulator is that GSM operators are of the view that FWT service providers had been offering the advantage of mobility while "illegally" collecting ADC on the basis that the service was a fixed service, thereby creating a non-level playing field for cellular services, in addition to causing a revenue loss to the government.

"We have sought detailed information from Trai to calculate the ADC that was generated. It is essential that the deficit charge collected on this ground be refunded to us (GSM operators) or be paid to Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd," COAI Director-General TV Ramachandran said. When contacted, Trai sources said the regulator was considering the demand of the GSM operators.

At present, FWT services are offered by Tata Teleservices (Walky), Reliance Infocomm and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited, all members of the Association of Unified Telecom Service Providers of India (AUSPI), the body representing CDMA and basic service providers.

Recently, Trai had pulled up FWT service providers, such as Tata Teleservices, for offering mobility while using the WLL platform to avoid ADC payments.

Last month, both the government and Trai had directed FWT service providers "to strictly ensure that the terminals be confined to the premises of the subscriber, as the issue of mobility had implications with respect to applicability of ADC".

"The government's directive has only settled the issue of mobility on FWTs -- the ADC collected has to be returned," Ramachandran added.

Network call

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• GSM-based cellular operators want Trai to share its data with them on fixed wireless services being offered by private operators
• The Cellular Operators Association said data requested from the Authority would have a significant financial implication on the Access Deficit Charge
• GSM operators are of the view that Fixed Wireless Terminal service providers had been offering the advantage of mobility while "illegally" collecting Access Deficit Charges