The Hindu Business Line : BSNL told not to deny interconnection links

THE Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has warned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) against terminating the interconnection links with other operators in the event of any dispute because of the inconvenience it causes to subscribers.

It has directed that henceforth a grace period of 10 days should be given before the links are snapped.

All the private operators have to necessarily have points of interconnection (POI) with BSNL because of its nationwide network and infrastructure. This enables the call to be carried through to the destination, and in most cases even enables the completion of STD calls. As a result, when the POIs are selectively blocked, many of the calls made by subscribers of the private operators fail to get through.

In a stern letter, the TRAI said that it had received complaints from some operators that the POIs were being discontinued because of non-settlement of IUC payments and other reasons.

"Disconnection of POIs is not desirable in view of the inconvenience caused to the subscribers of the networks of both the interconnecting operators. The dispute between two operators in the matter should be resolved through mutual agreement. In case of failure in arriving at mutual agreement, the operator who wishes to disconnect the POIs should give a notice for disconnection of POI with a suitable time period (not less than 10 days) and a copy of the same should be given to TRAI," the letter states.

In case TRAI does not intervene within the stipulated time period specified in the show-cause notice for disconnection of POI, the operator concerned can go ahead with the disconnection of the POI. Alternatively, the interconnecting operator may approach TRAI with full information about the dispute for determination in the matter, it has said.

Reliance Infocomm had in a complaint to TRAI alleged that BSNL was causing large-scale inconvenience to their subscribers by selectively blocking calls made from their networks. Although they are now allowed to legally offer roaming services to their subscribers, BSNL is creating problems and not allowing the CDMA subscribers to avail themselves of this facility.

"We write to inform you that we are getting reports from various circle heads that our calls are being blocked. The reason for the above, emerging from our discussions with various levels at BSNL, is being attributed to non-clarity on interconnection charges after migrating to a unified licence. We would be grateful and request that in the interim status quo may be maintained as we are providing both cellular and limited mobility calls. Necessary instructions are being requested for by BSNL," Reliance had noted.