Norms for intra-circle telecom M&As soon

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) will release the guidelines on intra-circle mergers and acquisitions (M&As) within a fortnight, said Pradip Baijal, chairman, Trai.

Speaking on the sidelines of the second international conference on "Communications Convergence"" Bridging the digital divide", organised by the Indian Merchants' Chamber here today, Baijal said that the regulator will approach the government and the defence ministry for the release of extra spectrum to private companies for better telephony.

Cellular companies have urged the government to release more spectrum to improve their services in mobile telephony.

Cellular service operators claim a large spectrum is unused by the defence ministry which can be judiciously used by the telecom service operators for better quality services.

On increasing teledensity in the country, Baijal said that the growth will happen only with increasing competition and lowering of tariffs.

Earlier in his welcome address, Baijal said India has achieved teledensity of seven per cent, two years before the target and expects to achieve 15 per cent by 2005.

Baijal noted that the market solutions will result in expansion and growth of the telecommunication market.