The Telecom regulator, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has come up with new interconnection regulations and mandated service providers to enter into interconnection agreement on non-discriminatory basis within 30 days of receiving network connectivity request from another operator. The new interconnect rules will come into effect from February 01, 2018.
The TRAI issued the 'Telecom Interconnection Regulations 2018' that comprises rules for crafting network connectivity agreements, provisioning of such connectivity amongst operators at initial stages, augmentation of Points of Interconnect, applicable rates or charges, disconnection of ports, and financial disincentive on interconnection issues. The regulations will apply to all the service providers offering telecom services in India. The Telecom regulator has also outlined a framework for provisioning and augmenting of interconnectivity ports, laying down a step-by- step process for provisioning of such ports.
The rules issued follow a detailed consultation process by TRAI that started in October 2016 and included open house discussions and written comments by stakeholders. The latest norms assume significance as interconnectivity was the flashpoint between Reliance Jio and incumbent telecom operators like Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular, at the time when the newcomer launched its services in 2016. Interconnection usage charges or IUC means the charge payable by one service provider to one or more service providers for usage of the network elements for origination, transit or termination of the calls.
