The telecom tribunal TDSAT has directed the regulator Trai to review its policy of reducing interconnection charges paid by operators saying there was lack of transparency in the process.
Hearing a petition filed by state-owned telecom companies MTNL and BSNL challenging the February 2007 Trai decision to reduce the interconnection charges — the fee one operator pays to other for connectivity — TDSAT said, “We are of the opinion that the issues raised before us by the parties require a fresh look by the Trai itself.”
A bench of Telecom Disputes Settlement & Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) headed by Justice S.B. Sinha said Trai has the undisputed powers to make, modify or alter the port or interconnection charges. However, while doing so, it is required to maintain a high-level of transparency that appears not to have been followed in this particular case, it added.
Trai fixes charges for connecting calls from one port to another and this is one element of the interconnection charges which is also known as port charges.
Trai had on February 2, 2007 reduced the port char-ges charges to 20 per cent from 23 per cent effective April 1, 2007, saying that in a multi-operator, multi-service industry, introduction of a new port policy was essential and that high port charges are detrimental to the industry. — PTI