Interconnect user charge, which was the bone of contention between cellular and wireless in local loop players, would now be implemented with effect from May 1 instead of April 1 in the wake of various telecom service providers filing alternate tariff plans.
"The various proposed alternate tariff plans have been received from service providers between March 10-24 and need detailed consideration and revision," Trai said in a statement while extending the deadline for implementing the IUC regime by one month.
Since both IUC and alternate tariff plans, if approved, need to be implemented simultaneously, the service providers have been asked to file their plans latest by April 3 so that IUC and different tariff could be implemented from May 1.
Earlier, Trai had announced revised tariff for Basic telecom services including WLL based limited mobility services offering reciprocal IUC to cellular players.
It is pertinent to note that a case between cellular and WLL players is coming for hearing in the Telecom Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal from March 31 onwards.
Ealier this month, Mahanagar Telephone Nigam and Bharat Sanchar Nigam had filed alternate tariff plans with Trai which were yet to be cleared.
The regulator has also asked the service providers to file alternate tariff plans in conformity with the 24th amendment to telecom tariff order and IUC regulation by April 3 for implementation on May 1 this year.
Moreover, the regulator said that consumers need to be informed well in advance about the various plans by different service providers. "The consumers need to be informed on the choices available pursuant to the contours of the standard tariff plan outlined in 24th Amendment to TTO," Trai added.
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