| January 2 |
COAI submitted its response to TRAI on its Consultation Paper on Infrastructure
Sharing: submitting that infrastructure sharing needed to be encouraged, it be mandated only
in critical locations; entity setting up the infrastructure should be left to market forces; backhaul
sharing should be permitted, etc.
|
 |
| January 2 |
COAI submitted its response to TRAI on its Consultation Paper on Infrastructure Sharing; submitting that infrastructure sharing needed to be encouraged, it be mandated only in critical locations; entity setting up the infrastructure should be left to market forces; backhaul sharing should be permitted, etc.
|
|
| January 3 |
TRAI issued a Consultation Paper on Redressal of Consumer Grievances and
Consumer Protection in Telecommunication: The key issue raised for Consultation
pertained to evolving a well defined institutional mechanism including procedure & practices
for handling consumer complaints & their speedy & effective resolution as is prevalent in many
countries across the world.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/ConsultationPapers/102/consultati3jan07.pdf
|
|
| January 3 |
TRAI issued a Consultation Paper on Redressal of Consumer Grievances and Consumer Protection in Telecommunication. The key issue raised for Consultation pertained to evolving a
well defined institutional mechanism including procedure and practices for handling consumer complaints and their speedy and effective resolution as is prevalent in many countries across the world.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/ConsultationPapers/102/consultation3jan07.pdf
|
|
| January 4 |
TRAI issued a Directive on Allocation of Short Codes to the Content Providers
including SMS based Services: instructing all access providers to comply with the DOT’s
guidelines issued recently for allocation of short codes by the access providers to the content
providers including SMS based services.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/Directives/99/direction4jan07.pdf
|
|
| January 4 |
TRAI issued a Directive on Allocation of Short Codes to the Content Providers including SMS based Services, instructing all access providers to comply with the DOT’s guidelines issued recently for allocation of short codes by the access providers to the content providers including SMS based services.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/Directives/99/direction4jan07.pdf
|
|
| January 5 |
COAI sought urgent attention of Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary of
Government of Haryana to issue necessary directions to permit installation of
communication Towers in the state of Haryana.
|
|
| January 9 |
ACT started the Nationwide Advertising Campaign spread over two months, to educate all
subscribers about the importance of Subscriber Verification Process. Advertisements were
published in regional languages and in all leading Newspapers.
|
|
| January 10 |
ACT requested DoT to review the requirement of PAN number for taking up a mobile
connection and the same may be deleted from Rule 114 (B) of the Income Tax Rules.
|
|
| January 12 |
TRAI issued draft amendment in the Regulations on Port Charges: The proposed
amendment reduced existing Port charges by about 23% to 29% for various slabs, mandated
interconnection seekers to place their demand for the required number of Ports on the basis of
traffic projection, on an annual basis.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/PressReleases/418/Draft12jan07.pdf
|
|
| January 12 |
COAI submitted its views on Issues Related to Spectrum to the Wireless Advisor:
· No interest/ penalty on account of delayed payments of WPC charges.
· Set up Committee to resolve the matter of increase in microwave charges
· Spectrum Usage Charges be capped at 2% of AGR.
|
|
| January 15 |
COAI organized a Seminar on Mobile Instant Messaging (MIM) during which the Indian
GSM industry announced the launch of MIM. Mr. D.S. Mathur, Secretary DoT & Chairman
Telecom Commission presided over the launch of this initiative & delivered the key note
address.
|
|
| January 16 |
COAI submitted a detailed note on financial incentives for infrastructure sharing to TRAI.
The submission included proposals on fixed incentives, exclusion from AGR of income from
sharing of infrastructure, income tax initiatives and incentives by Civic Authorities.
|
|
| January 16 |
ACT submitted to DoT that setting up of cellsites near international borders should be
allowed as operators were following DoT guidelines and presently several fading techniques
are available which could be used to prevent
|
|
| January 19 |
Supreme Court dismissed the Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by DoT in the Supreme
Court challenging the TDSAT order dated July 7, 2007 on the definition of Adjusted Gross
Revenue (AGR).
|
|
| January 19 |
COAI submitted its response to TRAI’s Consultation Paper on “Resale in International
Private Leased Circuits segment”; submitting its response on various issues like license
fees, period of license, entry fee, FDI limit, roll out obligations etc.
|
|
| January 20 |
COAI submitted its response to TRAI’s Consultation Paper on “Resale in International
Private Leased Circuits segment”; submitting its response on various issues like license
fees, period of license, entry fee, FDI limit, roll out obligations etc.
|
|
| January 23 |
COAI submitted its response to TRAI’s consultation paper on” Measures to Enhance
Competition in Domestic Leased Circuits market in India”; submitting that DLC’s to be provided to all operators on fair commercial terms and conditions and provision of DLC should
be under SLA.
|
|
| January 23 |
Delhi High Court, in the Writ filed by COAI appealing against the perverse order passed
by the State Consumer Commission on December 26, 2006 was pleased to stay the
operation of the Order of State Commission subject to the Petitioners depositing 50 lakhs with
the Registrar General of Delhi High Court within one week from January 23, 2007 & paying
other Rs. 25000/- to the Complainant within one week. These deposits are without prejudice.
|
|
| January 24 |
TRAI issued 44th Amendment to its Telecommunication Tariff Order, moving to a usage
based composite roaming tariff, thereby, removing the rental component from the charging
pattern & at the same time ensuring full recovery of costs to the mobile service providers.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/TariffOrders/61/torder24jan07.pdf
|
|
| January 31 |
TRAI issued a Consultation Paper on Access Deficit Charge: addressing the review of
ADC regime & raised specific issues for the funding of ADC in 2007-08, whether the Authority
should maintain the present reduction trend in ADC amount & Mechanism of contribution to
ADC.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/ConsultationPapers/106/aper31jan07no3.pdf
|
|
| February 1 |
COAI submitted its response to TRAI’s Consultation Paper on “Review of Internet
Services” submitting that product/service which can provided under the UASL License should
not be permitted under ISP license, to harmonize license fee, ADC & spectrum charges
across ISP and UASL/ CMTS licenses.
|
|
| February 2 |
TRAI issued amended Regulation on Port Charges: The Regulation reduced existing Port
charges by about 23% to 29% for various slabs, mandated interconnection seekers to place
their demand for the required number of Ports on the basis of traffic projection, on an annual
basis.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/Regulations/61/regulation2feb07.pdf
|
|
| February 9 |
COAI submitted structural/technical details for both Ground based and Roof Top Towers
to the Ministry of Urban Development.
|
|
| February 12 |
3 GSM World Congress held at Barcelona, COAI formed an active part of the Indian
contingent.
|
|
| February 13 |
COAI requested BSNL to issue suitable instructions to all its circle field units not to levy
0.30 paise per minute as revenue share on national roaming calls terminating on BSNL
network as the same was not prescribed by TRAI.
|
|
| February 13 |
COAI submitted its views on Spectrum Band of 2.5-2.69GHz to DoT:
· Use of full 2.5-2.69GHz band as an extension band for 3G be guaranteed.
· Spectrum allocations fro WiMAX be decided after globally harmonized band is identified by
ITU.
|
|
| February 21 |
COAI requested TEC & DoT to consider simple declaration or self certification from Service
Providers as completion of roll-out obligations and no Liquidity Damages or penalty be levied
on them.
|
|
| February 21 |
COAI requested DoT to make suitable amendments to the USO tender to facilitate bidding
by any valid licensee as BSO/ CMTS/ UASL.
|
|
| February 23 |
COAI submitted its response to TRAI’s Consultation Paper on “Redressal of Consumer
Grievances and consumer protection in Telecommunications” supporting TRAI’s initiative
to evolve a mechanism for handling consumer grievances in a speedy and effective manner.
|
|
| February 23 |
COAI submitted a detailed study on Determination of COST Based MTC to TRAI, using
two methodologies namely Fully Allocated Cost (FAC) & Long Run Incremental Cost (LRIC).
|
|
| February 26 |
COAI submitted its response to TRAI’s Consultation Paper on “Access Deficit Charge”
submitting that:
· ADC regime be phased out & the same be merged with USO regime
· ADC be reduced to Rs 1600 crs for 2007-08 & nil thereafter.
· ADC of Re.1/ min on incoming ILD calls be sufficient to meet the requirements of ADC for
2007-08.
|
|
| February 27 |
COAI submitted to TRAI that provisions related to reporting of tariff plans for all kinds of
tariffs be made similar to provisions specified for Bulk tariff plans under 42nd Amendment to
TTO, i.e. to report to Authority within 7 days after close of quarter.
|
|
| March 8 |
COAI requested DoT to clarify that funds transferred through mobile phones under the
Mobile Money Transfer initiative should not be considered in the AGR for License Fee Mobile Money Transfer initiative should not be considered in the AGR for License Fee
Calculations.
|
|
| March 9 |
COAI submitted its response to TRAI’s Consultation Paper on “Draft Recommendations
of the Core Group on NGN (Licensing)” submitting:
· NGN only a technology requires no separate category of Service Providers deploying only
NGN.
· Existing licensees permitted to offer all types of access services, hence can deploy NGN.
|
|
| March 14 |
COAI expressed its concerns on the Final Draft Guidelines for setting up of Cellular
Towers & requested the Finance Secretary of Chandigarh that similar guidelines as being
followed by Delhi and Punjab may also be prescribed by Chandigarh Administration.
|
|
| March 21 |
TRAI issued a Regulation on Lowering of ADC: The salient features of the Regulation were
reduction in the amount of ADC, reduction in per minute ADC on outgoing & incoming ILD
calls &reduction in ADC on % revenue share.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/Regulations/62/ADCRegulation.pdf
|
|
| March 21 |
COAI made its submissions to WPC on Spectrum Charges for Microwave Access & MW
backbone Networks:
· Unilateral hike in microwave charges is incorrect, unjustified, leads to violation of a settled
contractual agreement & unfairly penalizes the industry.
· Restore the charges to levels as mutually agreed between Government & industry in 2002.
|
|
| March 22 |
COAI replied to TRAI’s Letter dated 5.3.07 on tariff plans offered to SMEs, Corporates &
Bulk Customers requesting TRAI to issue appropriate amendment doing away with the
stipulation that billing be in the name of bulk customers & bills actually be paid by bulk
customers.
|
|
| March 22 |
COAI submitted Post Budget Memorandum to Finance Ministry & DoT covering the
following issues: Levy of Service tax on renting of Immovable Property for Use in Commerce
Business, Excise Duty CENVAT Rule in respect of Cable/ Shelter & Towers, 8% CVD on
Packaged or Canned Software, Tax benefit under Section 80-IA not available to companies
undergoing amalgamation or demerger after 31.3.2007, Deduction in respect of Sec 80-IA,
Tax Holiday under Sec 80-IA, FBT on ESOPs, Accelerated Depreciation for Telecom Industry
& Utilization of MAT Credit.
|
|
| March 22 |
COAI submitted Post Budget Memorandum to Finance Ministry & DoT covering the
following issues: Levy of Service tax on renting of Immovable Property for Use in Commerce
Business, Excise Duty CENVAT Rule in respect of Cable/ Shelter & Towers, 8% CVD on
Packaged or Canned Software, Tax benefit under Section 80-IA not available to companies
undergoing amalgamation or demerger after 31.3.2007, Deduction in respect of Sec 80-IA,
Tax Holiday under Sec 80-IA, FBT on ESOPs, Accelerated Depreciation for Telecom Industry
& Utilization of MAT Credit.
|
|
| March 23 |
TRAI submitted its Recommendations on Resale in International Private Leased
Circuits (IPLC) Segment. The salient features of the Recommendations covered the terms
and conditions for the resellers to provide end-to-end IPLC of between India & country of
destination.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/PressReleases/445/recomIPlC.pdf
|
|
| March 23 |
COAI submitted its response on “Draft TEC Guidelines for Limiting Human Exposure to
Electromagnetic Radiations” submitting that no conclusive and definitive evidences have
been found for effects on human exposure by any international body like ICNIRP, etc.
|
|
| April 3 |
COAI organized the ITU Forum of the Regional Working Group (RWG) on Private Sector
Issues: Asia & Pacific Region on “Promoting Low Cost Access to the Unconnected”. The
priority issues discussed were:
· Enhancing Low Cost Access
· Key Challenges in Growth of Seamless Services
· NGN – Planning, Technology & Migration
|
|
| April 5 |
Hon’ble Supreme Court was kind enough to grant COAI a stay on the direction of TRAI
dated 22.03.2007, wherein the TRAI had asked the operators to assess the total excess
amount charged from subscribers with effect from May 20, 2005 as the differential Tariff in the
Four States matter and to keep the same in a separate bank account, requiring operator not to
use this amount except for refunding the same to the consumers.
|
|
| April 18 |
ACT requested DoT to issue uniform instructions to all VTMs to be followed for
Subscriber Verification Audits as finalized during the Workshop held at Mussoorie.
|
|
| April 20 |
COAI reiterated its submissions to DoT on Issues related to Spectrum including Interest
on Delayed Payment of Spectrum Charges, Spectrum Usage Charges for Microwave Access
& Backbone & Parity in Spectrum Usage Charges for GSM & CDMA.
|
|
| April 23 |
TRAI released its Regulation on Unsolicited Commercial Calls (UCC) for putting in place
a mechanism for reducing the unwanted telemarketing calls.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/Regulations/63/regulation23apr07.pdf
|
|
| April 23 |
COAI expressed its concerns on the issue of Mixed Band Trials reiterating its serious
reservations on the exercise stating that mixed band plan solution has not been implemented
anywhere in the world, nor has this plan been certified by any international body.
|
|
| April 26 |
COAI made a submission to Defence Ministry regarding Setting up of Cellsites in &
around Defence Installations stating that operators often face difficulties in setting up sites
around Defence installations, which denies subscribers in those areas the benefits of mobile
communications. COAI requested for the support of the Ministry to permit the same within
prescribed guidelines.
|
|
| April 26 |
COAI expressed its concern to DoT on the issue of re-calculation of AGR not allowing
for deduction on actual basis during the year. COAI requested DoT to follow the approach
suggested by TRAI in its recommendations on the same.
|
|
| May 4 |
COAI submitted to TRAI on Review of Reporting requirements in TTO submitting that
there is an urgent need to relax the existing tariff reporting requirement.
|
|
| May 4 |
TRAI released its Regulation on Effective & Speedy Redressal of Consumer Grievances
and also Direction to ensure Transparency in Telecom Billing stating that all Service
Providers had to establish Call Centres within 60 days, appoint or designate Nodal Officers for
each area within one month & appellate authorities in each licensed Service Area within three
months. Service Providers were also mandated to publish “Manual of Practice for handling
consumer complaints” outlining the various provisions, time limits, benchmarks & procedures
for seeking redressal of grievances including information which affected the consumers.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/Regulations/64/regulation4may07.pdf
|
|
| May 9 |
COAI made its submissions to DoT on 2.1GHz/ 3G Spectrum stating that the existing
licensees have the first right to use of 2.1GHz band and hence they should be given priority
for allocating spectrum in this band.
|
|
| May 9 |
COAI made a submission to DoT on Carriage of Intra Circle Calls stating that private
NLDOs be allowed to carry intra circle calls of access providers giving the benefits of
competition, choice & affordability to the end consumers.
|
|
| May 10 |
TRAI released its Recommendations on Internet Services. The salient features of the
recommendations were Use of Device/ technology /methodology to provide access to Internet
permitted unless explicitly prohibited, content available without any access restriction on
Internet permitted, ISPs permitted to provide Internet telephony without any additional license
but not permitted to have connectivity with PSTN/PLMN & Charging mechanism based on %
of AGR.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload//460/Recommendation10may07.pdf
|
|
| May 10 |
COAI submitted its views to DoT on the issue of Inclusion of WiMAX into IMT 2000
Family submitting:
· Full technical analysis of compatibility/ interference issues between WiMAX and IMT-2000/
WCDMA required.
· ITU-R advocated and harmonized 2.5-2.69GHz band be fully preserved as an extension
band for IMT-2000/ 3G.
· WiMAX operators be allocated spectrum in 3.4-3.6GHz band as per predominant global
practices.
|
|
| May 16 |
COAI submitted its views on issues of 3G Spectrum to TRAI. The submissions were same
as made to DoT.
|
|
| May 21 |
COAI requested DoT to set up an Evaluation Group for exhaustive analysis for possible
inclusion of IP-OFDMA in IMT-2000 Family.
|
|
| May 21 |
COAI replied to CPWD on the issue of Setting up of Cellular Towers on Government
Buildings giving details of tower designs & load specifications, structural safety of CPWD
buildings & site rentals.
|
|
| May 22 |
COAI made submissions to Dot on the issue of Levies and Duties:
· Reduction in License Fee to a uniform 6% across all licenses
· Rationalization % reduction in multiple levies
· Implementation of a single levy system
|
|
| May 23 |
COAI responded to TRAI’s Regulation on Telecom Consumers Protection & Redressal
of Grievances by stating that there was an urgent need to review the Regulation to allow for
applications of a suitable levy for agent assisted calls.
|
|
| May 25 |
ACT organized a Workshop on Subscriber Verification held on May 25-26, 2007 at
Mussoorie to discuss issues related to Subscriber Verification. VTM Cells as well as the
representatives from the industry participated in this two day Seminar to discuss New
Subscriber Verification Process and VTM Audits.
|
|
| May 28 |
COAI files petition in TDSAT challenging the DoT order dated 03.11.2006 which
unilaterally and arbitrary hiked the spectrum charges for Microwave Access and Microwave
Backbone.
|
|
| May 29 |
COAI wrote to BSNL on the issue of Establishment of Direct Connectivity for Cellular &
Applicability of Transit Charges. As per TDSAT’s Order of 3.5.05, COAI requested BSNL to
refund amounts collected as transit charges since 3.5.05 & not to levy any transit charge for
transit of traffic for calls terminating on BSNL CellOne.
|
|
| June 5 |
TRAI issued Regulation to curb UCC. TRAI proposed National Do Not Call (NDNC)
Registry containing list of numbers of subscribers who do not want to receive UCC, NIC to
install, operate & maintain NDNC registry, establish in 3 months, Telemarketer have to
register with NDNC Registry to avail the facility of scrubbing their calling list.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/468/Regulation5june07.pdf
|
|
| June 12 |
TRAI issued Consultation Paper on Review of Key License Conditions and Capping of
Number of Access Providers. The key issues raised in the Consultation Paper pertain to
Mergers & Acquisitions & transfer of licenses, Substantial equity holding, Permitting service
providers to offer access services using combination of technology under the same license,
Roll-out obligations & Determining the number of Access provider in each service area.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/ConsultationPapers/116/cpaper12june07.pdf
|
|
| June 15 |
TRAI released its Regulation on Telecommunications Consumer Education and
Protection Fund. As per the regulation, a Telecommunication Consumers Education &
Protection Fund shall be established by the TRAI for the telecom consumers’ awareness,
education & for protection of their interests.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/473/regulation15jun07.pdf
|
|
| July 6 |
COAI submitted its response to TRAI’s Consultation Paper on Review of License Terms
& Conditions & Capping of Number of Access providers. COAI submitted:
· Subscriber base be the criteria for mergers and the maximum spectrum limit for GSM
may be at 22.5MHz.
· Crossover allotment of spectrum not permissible under present UASL.
· Stipulation of mandatory roll-out obligations for access service should be removed.
· Due to lack of spectrum availability, there should be a cap on the no. of service providers.
|
|
| July 7 |
Hon’ble TDSAT rejected the prayer of COAI to grant stay in the COAI Petition on increase of
the Microwave Backbone & Access Charges by DoT. However the Hon’ble TDSAT
recorded that if the Petitioners were to succeed in the matter, they will be entitled to
adjust the higher amounts paid by them.
|
|
| July 13 |
TRAI issued a Directive on Quality of Service directing Service providers to work out their
action plan to meet the QoS parameters.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/Directives/105/direction11july07.pdf
|
|
| July 17 |
COAI supported the initiative of TRAI of setting up of central NDNC and submitted that
the Service Providers will extend the required support to the telemarketers, in order to ensure
smooth implementation of the Regulation.
|
|
| July 23 |
COAI wrote to TRAI & MoC on the Spectrum Entitlements of GSM Licenses stating that
the GSM operators and Government got into a contractual agreement in 2002 as per which
entitlements are based on Government guidelines issued from time to time and there exists a
roadmap of up to 15MHz for GSM operators.
|
|
| July 30 |
COAI submitted its inputs to DoT for APG 2007-5 meeting as:
· Agenda 1.9 – Band 2.5-2.69 GHz be earmarked for terrestrial services.
· Agenda 1.4 – Bands 2.5-2.69 / 3.4-3.6/3.7/3.8 GHz be also earmarked for IMT-2000/ IMT
2000 advanced services.
|
|
| August 7 |
COAI in continuation to its submissions on Inclusion of IP-OFDMA in IMT-2000 Family
submitted certain open issues like link budget analysis, outage analysis, spectral efficiency,
data & voice capacity, encryption & protocol overheads, coexistence, emissions 7
compatibility with existing IMT-2000 radio interfaces. COAI stated that these open issues need
to be resolved.
|
|
| August 13 |
COAI submitted to Chief Minister of Karnataka on the issue of ban on use of mobile
phones by children below 16 years, that general consensus of the studies done by various
scientific bodies does not demonstrate any substantive link between human health risks and
use of digital mobile phones. Keeping in mind the social and economic benefits provided by
cellular industry, COAI reiterated that such restriction on use of mobile phones by children is
not in public interest and hence such a ban should not be imposed.
|
|
| August 21 |
TRAI amended its Regulation on Guidelines for Registration of Consumer
Organizations/ NGOs to facilitate registration of more consumer organizations/ NGOs.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/Regulations/68/regulation21aug07.pdf
|
|
| August 21 |
COA requested NDMC to permit installation of shared towers on certain identified buildings/
premises/ areas falling under the NDMC.
|
|
| August 24 |
Hon’ble TDSAT dismissed the Appeal filed by BSNL in the TDSAT against the TRAI
decision of 11.9.2006 which reconfirms that there is no justification for a revenue share on
roaming calls and that the terminating network is entitled to only the termination Charge.
|
|
| August 28 |
TRAI issued a Direction to Access Providers on Caller Line Identity Presentation (CLIP)
charges. Through this Direction, TRAI mandated that Charges for CLIP facility cannot be
made a compulsory item of tariff for the subscribers in any tariff plan.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/Directives/108/DIRECTION28aug07.pdf
|
|
| August 29 |
TRAI submitted its Recommendations on Review of Key License Conditions and
Capping of Number of Access Providers. The salient features of the recommendations
were no cap for number of service providers in any service area, enhance the present
subscriber norms for spectrum allocation, for assessment of market power, market share of
both subscriber base & revenue of licensee in the relevant market shall be considered & an
existing licensee may be permitted to use alternate technology to provide wireless access
service subject to certain conditions.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/489/pr29aug07no74.pdf
|
|
| August 30 |
COAI suggested few amendments to NFAP-2005 to DoT submitting that IND 51 should be
considered provided there is no interference with IMT-2000 band and in IND 54 & IND 56A,
word Broadband Applications be substituted by terrestrial mobile IMT-2000 systems &
systems beyond IMT-2000.
|
|
| August 30 |
Based on the recommendations received from TRAI, Hon’ble TDSAT pronounced its
final Judgment on the Definition of Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) i.e. components to
be included / excluded in the AGR, The Hon’ble TDSAT made the Order effective from the
date on which the Petition was filed in TDSAT. (August 2005 in the case of COAI) and only to
petitioners specifically named in the petition.
|
|
| September 5 |
COAI expressed disbelief at the fact that they were not aware of the presentation made by
TTSL on Mixed Band Plan. COAI requested DoT to postpone trials and provide the details of
the trials beforehand to ensure level playing field.
|
|
| September 6 |
TRAI issued a Position Paper on Provisioning of IPTV Services to deliberate on all
relevant issues regarding provision of IPTV services, address the grey area in provisioning of
IPTV services & encourage stakeholders to provide IPTV Services.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/PressReleases/492/Ppaper.pdf
|
|
| September 6 |
COAI along with TI organized the "Mobile Services Forum- India 2007,".The main
objective of the event was to provide a unique and intimate setting for mobile operators,
mobile phone manufacturers and key decision makers of the industry to progress the direction
of India's wireless market.
|
|
| September 6 |
COAI raised serious concerns on “TRAI Recommendations on Review of License terms
and conditions and capping of number of access providers”, submitting:
· Recommendation did not take into account fundamental issue of spectrum constraint, being
faced by Government.
· First priority in allocation of spectrum must necessarily be given to existing GSM licensees
· Subscriber linkage criteria was incorrect, technically flawed
· Under present policy & licensing regime, crossover allotments of spectrum not permissible.
· 40% limit proposed for merged entity is flawed and incorrect.
|
|
| September 10 |
COAI files Review Application in respect of the AGR Judgment dated August 30, 2007.
|
|
| September 11 |
COAI wrote to DoT in wake of several license applications made by new players,
submitting that all applications should be scrutinized properly and checked fro the
crossholding restrictions as per the license agreement.
|
|
| September 11 |
ACT wrote to DoT on the issue of scanning of documents stating that industry would start
this process for its current subscribers by January 2008 and complete scanning of all forms of
existing as well as new subscribers by end of October 2008.
|
|
| September 12 |
COAI submitted to DoT that existing GSM operators had a priority over other applicants &
requested for timely allotment of spectrum as per guidelines laid down by DoT, at least in
Circles where allotments have been cleared by relevant authorities.
|
|
| September 14 |
TDSAT dismisses Review Application filed by COAI in respect of the AGR judgment
which sought to inter-alia clarify that the judgment would be applicable to all service providers
from the date they migrated to revenue share regime or date from which they were required to
pay license fee on the basis of revenue share.
|
|
| September 14 |
TRAI Regulation on Domestic Leased Circuits to provide improved consumer’s choice.
The highlights of this Regulation were: Provision of DLC & local lead for DLC by a service
provider to another who would use it for providing leased circuits to customer, Imposition of
obligation on all service providers who have the capacity of copper, fiber or wireless, & who
have been allowed under the licence to provide DLC, to share it with other service providers
mandating service providers to confirm availability or otherwise to requesting service providers
within 30 days.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/Regulations/71/regulation14sep07.pdf
|
|
| September 17 |
TRAI released draft recommendations on Growth of Broadband. The salient features of
this draft recommendations were BSNL & MTNL be encouraged to appoint franchisees for
providing broadband services, Standardisation of DSL CPEs be done by TEC, encourage
Indian manufacturers to produce more CPEs, Government should expedite decision on
TRAI’s recommendations regarding mechanism & pricing of Spectrum for 3G & Broadband
Wireless Access, Spectrum for 3G & WiMAX be made available at the earliest, Streamline
RoW procedures, Govt. to ensure availability of more no of Ku band transponders * Utilise
USOF to provide subsidy.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/495/recommendation17sep07.pdf
|
|
| September 17 |
COAI submitted its inputs on Agenda Item 1.4 & 1.9 for WRC-07. COAI supported the
multi country proposal and was in favour of 2.5-2.69GHz band to be guaranteed for IMT-2000.
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| September 18 |
TRAI released Consultation Paper on Issues relating to Mobile TV. The key issues raised
for Consultation were Preferred technology for mobile TV service, Preference for Satellite/
Terrestrial system, Spectrum requirements, Methodology for frequency spectrum allocation,
Eligibility for grant of license, Net worth requirements, limits for FDI & portfolio investment,
tenure of license, license fee.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/ConsultationPapers/120/cpaper18sep07.pdf
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| September 19 |
On the issue of Pending UASL applications of GSM operators, COAI requested DoT:
· Pending UASL applications of existing operators should be accorded top priority for
issuance of license and initial spectrum.
· Equal consideration for grant of licenses to existing GSM operators having UASL
applications pending on date when licenses were last awarded.
· Scrutinize all license applications to weed out non-credible applicants.
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| September 20 |
COAI replied to DoT Letter on Compliance on deployment of various techniques for
optimal and efficient utilization of the allotted spectrum. COAI submitted that all Indian
GSM operators were utilizing spectrum allotments in the most optimal and efficient manner
and are thus deploying all available spectrum optimization techniques.
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| September 20 |
COAI requested DoT for implementation of decentralization process of registration under
OSP category and telemarketing category to be carried out in all 23 VTM cells, in order to
streamline the process and reduce the time.
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| September 21 |
COAI in association with GSMA organized a half-day workshop on ‘Mobile Instant
Messaging - Opportunities & The Way Forward’, wherein various Marketing, Strategic,
Business Development and Technological aspects pertaining to MIM services were discussed
at length.
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| September 26 |
COAI reiterated its views on mixed band plan trials to DoT submitting that it would not
lead to any meaningful conclusions, as it has not been implemented anywhere in world &
limited trial can never replicate a large scale deployment. COAI also requested that planning &
implementation must be done transparently with full involvement of all stakeholders.
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| September 26 |
COAI submitted to DoT various legal opinions of some legal luminaries on the issue of
allocation and charging of 2G spectrum.
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| October 3 |
COAI made a detailed submission on proposed restriction on putting up of towers in
residential areas in Kerala giving details and the importance of cellular towers for providing
seamless mobile services.
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| October 5 |
TRAI issued Regulation on Telecom UCC. The regulation stated that NDNC registry was
ready & would be operationalized on 12.10.07. Telemarketers who were registered with DoT
were to scrub their calling list from this date. Subscribers registered before 31.08.07 would not
receive UCC & subscribers registered after 31.08.07 would get this benefit after a gap of forty
five days.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/PressReleases/503/pr5oct07no88.pdf
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| October 5 |
COAI reiterated its views to DoT on subscriber-linked criteria recommended by TRAI
that they were based on assumptions that were incorrect, technically flawed and impossible to
achieve. COAI also urged that its submissions on TRAI’s erroneous calculations be kept in
consideration while reviewing the criteria.
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| October 5 |
COAI made its submissions to MoC on issues like Subscriber Linked Criteria, Scrutiny of
applications of new licenses, Priority Treatment for Incumbent GSM operators, & Spectrum
charges.
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| October 10 |
COAI once again reiterated its views to MoC, DoT, Finance Ministry on the issue of
allocation of 2G spectrum and subscriber linked criteria for spectrum allocation.
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| October 11 |
COAI submitted data to TEC for its Committee on Spectral Efficiency for Mobile Telephony
Services including details like Area, traffic density etc. for Delhi & Mumbai.
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| October 15 |
COAI submitted its response to TRAI’s Consultation Paper on “ Issues relating to
Mobile Television Service” submitting that there was no need to regulate the technology &
Mobile TV being an application is inherent in the Telecom Licenses granted to mobile
operators viz, CMTS and UAS licenses.
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| October 15 |
Based on the decision of Review Application the Non-Petitioners filed their Petition on
AGR in TDSAT.
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| October 17 |
COAI submitted data to TEC for its Committee on Spectral Efficiency for Mobile Telephony
Services including details like Area, traffic density etc. for Chennai & Vendor’s comments on
availability, impact on capacity enhancements of the spectrum efficiency techniques expected
in future.
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| October 18 |
COAI set up a co-ordination committee to ensure faster resolution of customer
complaints pertaining to telemarketing. The co-ordination committee included all mobile
operators, public & private.
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| October 18 |
COAI made submissions on installation of shared cell sites in the LBZ area in Delhi to
NDMC, submitted that:
· Operators would install only shared cell sites in LBZ & NDMC area.
· Operators would install sleek looking monopoles.
· COAI would provide details of proposed no of operators at each cell sites.
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| October 23 |
COAI submitted data to TEC for its Committee on Spectral Efficiency for Mobile Telephony
Services including details like Area, traffic density etc. for Kolkata. COAI also urged TEC to
maintain level playing field & requested similar exercise for CDMA operators.
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| October 23 |
Hon’ble TDSAT stated in its interim order that the license fees will be paid by the
Petitioner operators as per the new definition of Adjusted Gross Revenue, from October 23,
2007.
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| October 23 |
COAI filed a petition in TDSAT challenging the Government decision of 19.10.2007,
which permitted inter alia the allotment of GSM spectrum to CDMA operators.
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| October 23 |
COAI files an Execution Application in TDSAT seeking implementation of the TDSAT
order dated 24.08.2007 in the Revenue Share on Roaming matter by inter alia directing
BSNL to adjust all amounts collected by them in this regard w.e.f 11.09.06.
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| October 29 |
COAI submitted to TEC Committee that mobile services were also provided on CDMA
technology, so exercise to review the subscriber criteria must also be carried out transparently
& separately for CDMA services. COAI once again requested that a representative of COAI be
formally nominated and involved in the above exercise & practice & process should be in
consonance with last exercise carried out in 2003, wherein High-level committee was
constituted. COAI also submitted its views on IBS & AMR.
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| October 30 |
TRAI issued a Directive to Access Service providers on provision of VAS for enhanced
transparency with regard to explicit consent and unsubscribing. TRAI directed service
providers to provide facility of unsubscribing of any VAS, free of charge, In case of any offer
made to customer, details to be provided & VAS to be activated after consumer’s consent &
maintain records of customer consent, etc.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/Directives/110/DirectionVAS.pdf
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| October 30 |
Pursuant to Open House on Mobile TV, COAI submitted that providing Mobile TV was
inherent in the Telecom Licenses granted to mobile operators by DoT viz, CMTS & UAS
licenses. COAI also submitted that appropriate terms & conditions be put in place for stand
alone Mobile TV operators.
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| November 13 |
Mr. T.V Ramachandran was nominated as COAI representative for Committee
constituted by DoT for recommending revised subscriber based spectrum allocation criteria.
COAI submitted to reserve the right to produce witness/ international experts before the
committee. COAI again reiterated to examine the criteria for both GSM and CDMA in a
transparent manner.
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| November 14 |
On Government’s announcement on introduction of Mobile Number Portability (MNP),
COAI expressed disappointed to note certain misinformation deliberately circulated in the
market & clarified its position, that GSM industry had no difficulty with the introduction of
Number Portability. On the contrary, COAI submitted that Number Portability should not be
introduced in a selective manner but in all parts of India.
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| November 14 |
COAI submitted Pre-Budget Proposals for Union Budget 2008-2009. Along with other
Direct and Indirect tax proposals, COAI submitted that:
· Revenue share license fee should be reduced to 6%, as is applicable in the case of
NLD/ILD license
· All the multiple levies on the sector should be rationalized in a phased manner and
recommended a simple industry/investor friendly tax structure.
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|
| November 16 |
TRAI issued Guidelines to Telecom Service providers prescribing procedure/ practice &
code of conduct for Outsourced Agencies engaged by them. The guidelines issued
covered Dues Recovery Policy, Obligation of Telecom Service Providers, Appointment of
Outsourced Agency & Contract Agreement, Identification & role of Agent of outsourced
agency & Procedures & Conduct for agent of outsourced agency.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/PressReleases/509/guidelinesPR.pdf
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| November 16 |
COAI submitted to DoT its disagreement on the Committee view of reviewing only GSM
criteria at stage I. COAI also submitted that 3 weeks was too short a time to come to any
conclusions and any criteria adopted thereafter should be applied only on a prospective basis.
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| November 21 |
COAI requested Hon’ble Lt. Governor of Delhi to issue necessary order/ clarification to the
concerned officials to permit installations of cell sites in the MCD area, since no conclusive
evidence of any health ailment have been found.
|
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| November 21 |
COAI wrote to DoT on the issue of Installation of Shared Infrastructure in LBZ Area,
submitted the following details:
· Site wise details along with proposed no. of operators.
· Only sleek looking Monopoles would be installed in LBZ area.
· List of IP-1 vendors installing monopoles.
· Only shared sites would be installed in LBZ area.
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| November 21 |
COAI & its members made presentations to Spectrum Committee formed by DoT. The
presentations highlighted present spectrum scenario in India compared to international
benchmarks, flaws with TRAI & TEC recommendations & way forward.
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| November 28 |
TDSAT grants prayer of COAI in its Execution Application against BSNL for the refund of
the amount charged by BSNL from service providers as Revenue Share on Roaming with
effect from 11.09.2006.
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|
| November 28 |
TRAI released it draft Recommendation on Provision of IPTV services. The salient
features of the draft recommendations were UASL, CMTS, ISPs & registered cable operators
allowed to provide IPTV, Telecom licensees to transmit only such channels in exactly same
form for which broadcasters have received permission from I& B Ministry, In case of contents
other than TV Channels from broadcasters, telecom licensee shall be responsible for
observing program & advertising code.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload77/recommendation28nov07.pdf
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| December 3 |
COAI submitted to DoT on Spectrum Entitlements under License stating that by virtue of
contractual settlement of 2002 between Government & industry, GSM operators are entitled to
spectrum upto 10 MHz & Government through a series of Orders has further laid down a
roadmap upto 15 MHz per GSM operator.
|
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| December 4 |
TRAI formed a Steering Committee to address issues involved in the implementation
of Mobile Number Portability with a special reference to the methodology of MNP
implementation, establishing of neutral third party for data base management, level of
centralization of data base in terms of national v/s regional set up, time frame of
implementation, method of tariff transparency for off-net & on-net calls billing system, dispute
resolution mechanism between the various mobile service providers etc.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/PressReleases/516/pr3dec07no101.pdf
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| December 4 |
COAI requested that the deliberations of Spectrum Committee set up by DoT should
take place along the lines of explicit terms of reference and also requested to grant the
permission to co-opt senior technical experts, to provide further information on the practicable
aspects of network deployment. COAI also submitted its concerns on the presentation made
by TEC to the Committee.
|
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| December 6 |
COAI wrote to DoT on the amendment dated December 14, 2005, wherein the NLD license
was amended, allowing NLDO to carry and terminate Intra circle traffic, COAI submitted that
allowing private NLDOs to carry intra circle long distance traffic would lead to:
· Increased competition in intra circle carriage segment.
· Reduced congestion on BSNL networks
· Optimal utilization of telecom network of all stakeholders.
COAI also requested to issue urgent and necessary clarification allowing private NLDOs to
carry intra circle long distance traffic with immediate effect.
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| December 12 |
Hon’ble TDSAT rejects the COAI’s prayer to stay the allocation of Cross over GSM
spectrum to CDMA operators.
|
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| December 20 |
COAI files Writ in Delhi High Court against the TDSAT order of 12.12.07, rejecting their
prayer for interim relief/stay on the allocation of GSM spectrum to CDMA operators.
|
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| December 24 |
TRAI issued Consultation paper on Terms & Conditions for Publication of Integrated
Telephone Directory for Fixed Line Telephones and National Integrated Directory
Enquiry Service (NIDQS) for Fixed and Mobile Telephones. The key issues raised for
Consultation were Framework for authorization/ terms & conditions for licensing to publish
integrated telephone directory SSA-wise for fixed line telephones, Guidelines for printing of
integrated telephone directory for fixed line telephones, Framework for authorization/ terms &
conditions of licensing & guidelines for NIDQS & Options for listing in directory services.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/520/cpaper24dec07.pdf
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| December 27 |
On Government’s acceptance of Spectrum Review Committee’s Recommendations,
COAI submitted that GSM operators have accrued & vested rights to have their pending
applications for spectrum allotments processed as per criteria of March 29 2006. COAI also
suggested that the TRAI criteria may be accepted only as an interim solution in order to
facilitate a way forward.
|
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| December 28 |
COAI requested TRAI to enhance the scope of NDNC registry website to facilitate real
time sharing of data pertaining to customer complaints amongst Service Providers.
|
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| December 31 |
Short Consultation on the Issue of Providing Hard Copy of the Bill Free of Cost to Post
Paid Subscribers of Telecom Access Service. This consultation process was initiated
towards amending Telecommunication Tariff Order to incorporate an explicit provision for
providing bill in hard copy free of cost to all post paid subscribers which in any case is
provided for in the relevant rules & relevant license agreements.
http://www.trai.gov.in/trai/upload/522/cpaper31dec07.pdf
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