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India considers unified telecoms licence
01 February 2010
The Indian government is reported to be considering a single telecoms licence, uniting 17 service-specific licences, though spectrum would be allocated separately
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[India]
[Department of Telecommunications]
[government]
[licence]
[4G]
Comment: At the moment details are sketchy, but this move could spur innovation in India as new services such as WiMax and LTE — both fourth generation wireless — emerge, as well as over-the-top video. Operators would be able to test services in the market, without having to seek specific licences.
India’s Department of Telecommunications is considering a single telecom licence for all services, bringing together a complex cluster of technology-specific licences.
The DoT currently issues 17 licences for specific services, and the unified licence will simplify the process by reducing government interference.
The licence will come without spectrum for mobile services, which companies will need to secure separately.
Services for which licences are sought also include voice over IP. With the introduction of the single licences, companies will be able to start a service that does not require spectrum. The resultant competition could reduce costs.
According to the proposal, the single licence will be given at a nominal registration fee, and will be provided separately from the spectrum. A company will be allowed to offer any kind of service under the licence, without having to buy spectrum.
Currently, separate licences are given for services including basic, cellular, unified access service, national long-distance, international long-distance, cable TV, DTH, TV and broadcasting services and internet telephony. GTB