BSNL for quick interconnection

In what could be a major relief to private telecom operators, state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) will give interconnection to private operators within a month, from January. There are 2,500-4,000 applications for interconnection pending with BSNL.

Issue of interconnection has for long been a bone of contention between BSNL and private operators on account of delays.

BSNL takes port charges (about Rs 55,000) for interconnection while private operators do not charge for this facility from other firms.

In an open house session on regulatory issues at India Telecom 2006, M Sahu, joint secretary, department of telecom (DoT), said, "During the roundtable meeting of CEOs yesterday, BSNL promised that from January no interconnection order will take more than a month. It also agreed to reduce the time period gradually."