Indian Villages May Get Net, Telephony On Cable

Business Standard: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), the Indian equivalent of the FCC of the US, is planning a convergence of voice data services. It is expected to send a proposal to the government for allowing cable operators in rural areas to offer basic telephony and Internet services.
Trai is also to suggest a reduction in the licence fee and spectrum charges for rural cellular services. It is also proposed that Internet protocol (IP)-based telephony is permitted and the licensing structure amended, allowing broadband providers to offer voice services in rural India.
Trai Chairman Pradip Baijal said a consultation paper on rural telephony was expected next month. The paper will recommend using cable operators as agents to connect rural households through telephones. The paper is also expected to suggest amendments to licensing norms so that cable operators in villages can carry voice and data on their networks.

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