Grant network authorisations under Telecom Act 2023: TRAI to Govt

TRAI on Monday said the Centre should grant network authorisations under Telecommunications Act, 2023 instead of entering into an agreement with the entity, as the regulator spelt out detailed recommendations on modalities of such network authorisations- ranging from infrastructure provider to Satellite Earth Station Gateway (SESG) provider and Mobile Number Portability (MNP) provider. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) said its recommendations are aimed at fostering growth and enhancing ease of doing business in the telecom sector.
TRAI recommended fees for various network authorisations -- varying from Rs 10,000 application processing fee for infrastructure provider all the way to Rs 10,000 application processing fee, Rs 50,00,000 entry fee, Rs 40,00,000 bank guarantee and 1 per cent adjusted gross revenue in case of MNP provider.
In a major overhaul of the licensing ecosystem in the telecom sector, the telecom regulator had last week recommended three new categories of authorisations be created to cover the gamut of telecom services in the country in line with the new Telecom Act, 2023.TRAI suggested that the Centre introduce Satellite Earth Station Gateway (SESG) Provider Authorisation under Telecommunications Act, 2023. Any entity intending to establish, operate, maintain, or expand satellite earth station gateway (SESG) in India should be required to obtain SESG Provider Authorisation from the central government.
The establishment, operation, maintenance, and expansion of the certain categories of ground stations (as envisaged in the Norms, Guidelines and Procedures for Implementation of Indian Space Policy-2023 in respect of Authorisation of Space Activities (NGP) issued by IN-SPACe in May 2024) should be authorisation-exempt in terms of Telecommunications Act, 2023.