Group on Telecom to take up limited mobility issue

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, APRIL 7. Cornered by allegations of impropriety in the telecom policy, the Government has referred the matter of wireless in local loop-based ``limited mobility'' service to the Group on Telecom and IT Convergent (GoT-IT), headed by the Finance Minister, Mr. Yashwant Sinha. The group has been asked to submit its recommendations by the end of this month.

The decision was taken at a meeting presided over by the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, on Friday. The Union Home Minister, Mr. L. K. Advani, Mr. Sinha, and the Communications Minister, Mr. Ram Vilas Paswan, were present.

``The Government recognises the advantages of `Limited Mobility' for fixed service providers (FSPs) to achieve quick roll-out of networks and cheaper service to customers. It was also noted that the matter is before the Telecom Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunals (TDSAT),'' said an official release.

The Group will submit its recommendations on the following issues: (a) whether the New Telecom Policy 1999 permits `Limited Mobility' to be offered by FSPs; (b) if it is permitted, how can it be consistent with the principle of level playing field among different categories of operators; and (c) if it is not permitted, how can NTP `99 be modified to facilitate ``Limited Mobility'' to ensure faster achievement of the targets of tele- destiny as well as rural and remote area telephony at cheaper and affordable rates.

The terms of reference left the cellular operators unimpressed. A more detailed reaction will be available next week.

Meanwhile, the Government has repudiated the ``wild and baseless allegations being made in certain quarters against the Ministry of Communications and the PMO with regard to the Limited Mobility issue.'' Similar reckless allegations, which did not stand any serious scrutiny, had been made when the Government unveiled the New Telecom Policy 1999.

Strongly defending the Ministry of Communications, the Government said it had adopted a proper and transparent process, based on the recommendations of the TRAI, in arriving at its decision on permitting ``Limited Mobility'' service to FSPs. It did so guided primarily by WLL's proven advantage in facilitating quick roll- out of networks in congested urban regions as well as in remote areas, which would ultimately help in achieving the ambitious teledensity targets set in the NTP `99.

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Section  : National
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