In conversation with Business Standard, Misra said: "We have put everything on paper. Some form of MVNO, of the three or four models that we have discussed, will definitely come to India whether you like it or not. Technology cannot be stopped."
Misra's view is significant as the first public admission by the regulator, which the Department of Telecommunications asked for a recommendation on whether MVNO should be allowed, that the country would open its doors to MVNO operators.
A controversy over MVNO operators, who offer their brands, value-added services and infrastructure to mobile companies that have operating licences and spectrum, had recently arisen when Tata Teleservices signed a joint venture with Virgin Mobile to offer services under the Virgin brand-name.
GSM mobile competitors have complained to the government that Virgin has entered the Indian telecom market from the backdoor.
If Trai's recommendation is accepted, mobile telephony is expected to see more competition and lower tariffs.
