India's Telecom Reform - Indian Institute of Public Administration

Chronology of Indian Telecom Reform
tory body for India for content and carriage i.e., broadcasting
and telecommunications.
2000, August 13: Guidelines for opening of NLD announced.
2000, August 31: TRAI issues recommendations on basic
service licenses and suggests open entry with fees ranging
between Rs 10 million to Rs one billion depending on type
of Circle, (ref: Appendix II for details of Circle types) “to
weed out non-serious players”. Recommends variable revenue
shares for FSPs.
2000, September 7: DoT recommends a three-tier revenue
share license fee structure for CMSPs as below:
20 percent p.a. for metros,
15 percent p.a. for Circle A & B service areas,
10 percent p.a. for other (Type C) Circle service areas
2000, October 1: Corporatisation of DoT by the formation
of BSNL.
2000, October 24: Recommendations of TRAI on the
induction of a fourth mobile operator.
2000, November 3: TRAI issues consultation paper on
Policy Issues relating to Limited Mobility by use of Wireless
in Local Loop Techniques in the Access Network by
Basic Service Providers.
2001: FDI almost doubles to over Rs 8000 crores post
NTP-99 and there is a move to revenue sharing from fixed
license fees.
2001, January 5: Fourth cellular operators license guidelines
announced by DoT.
2001, January 8: TRAI recommends that FSPs be allowed
to offer, “limited mobility” within the SDCA.
2001, January 18: BSNL announces a concessional tariff
for its subscribers for calls up to a distance of 200
kilometres.
2001, January 23: COAI approaches the Telecom Dispute
Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) against
TRAI recommendations allowing limited mobility services
using WLL.
2001, January 25: DoT announces FSP guidelines, which
include the right to offer “limited mobility” services
through WLL.
2001, March 20: TRAI writes to DoT referring to the
stipulation in the TRAI recommendations on WLL (M)
that envisage that the Mobile Switching Centre (MSC)
should not be used for WLL based mobility.
2001, March 23: DoT issues guidelines for allocation of spectrum
on a first come, first serve basis for FSP licensees.
2001, March 27: Letters of Intent issued by DoT to private
fixed operators Tata Teleservices, Reliance Communications
and HFCL InfoTel to offer fixed and limited
mobile services.
2001, April 24: TDSAT sets aside TRAI order on
concessional tariffs saying TRAI had violated the principles
of natural justice since BSNL was not given a hearing prior
to issue of orders.
2001, June 29: Bidding begins for fourth cellular service
license slot in 21 Circles.
2001, July 19: DoT challenges jurisdiction of TDSAT on
matters relating to spectrum charges.
2001, July 31: The winners for the fourth cellular license
are announced.
2001, August: Opening of NLD service to competition.
2001, August 27: Communications Convergence Bill 2001
approved by Cabinet.
2001, September 25: DoT issues amended license agreements
for existing cellular operators to reflect their migration
to NTP-99.
2001, November 11: Bharti Telesonic signs NLD Telephony
license.
2001, November 12: TRAI submits recommendations on
opening up of International long distance to private
participation.
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