India's Telecom Reform - Indian Institute of Public Administration

Chronology of Indian Telecom Reform
2003, May 15: Consultation paper on IUC issues seeks
further views on modification of IUC, new estimates for
ADC etc.
2003, July 16: TRAI’s consultation paper on Unified Licensing
for Basic and Cellular Mobile Services.
2003, August 8: TDSAT pronounces split (2 – 1) judgement
on the legality of WLL (M). Majority decision of the
body’s two administrative members accepts WLL (M) service
is legal, but says government decision to allow it was
taken in unseemly haste and further that TRAI should have
levied additional fees. Dissenting minority judgement (that
of the Chairperson of TDSAT, its only judicial member)
says WLL (M) service is illegal and that decisions were
taken for extraneous reasons.
2003, October 27: TRAI recommendations on “WLL
(M) issues pertaining based on Hon’ble TDSAT’s order”
stipulate additional entry fees for WLL (M) players based
on difference in fees paid already and those bid for and
paid by the fourth cellular operator in the relevant operating
area.
2003, October 27: TRAI’s recommendations on unified
licensing proposing immediate merger of fixed and mobile
licenses in area of operations of current cellular
licenses.
2003, October 29: TRAI reduces access deficit estimate
from Rs 135 billion to Rs 53 billion.
2003, November 11: DoT issues guidelines for Unified
Access Services licenses. All fixed line operators allowed
to migrate to a Unified Access Services License on payment
of a fee.
2003, November 14: Unified licences granted to telecom
operators Reliance, Tata Teleservices, Shyam Telecom and
HFCL.
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