Draft telecom policy proposes free roaming, full number portability

Mobile telephone users may be able to make calls withoutpaying roaming charges and change operator outside their circle while retainingthe same number, if draft New Telecom Policy is implemented.

Declaring an agenda of 'One Nation-One Licence' acrossservices, the NTP endeavours to create an investor-friendly environment byattracting additional investments in the sector, which has been marred bycontroversies relating to 2G scam in the recent past.

"Moving forward, we aim to create One Nation - OneLicence across services and service areas. We aim to achieve One Nation - FullMobile Number Portability and work towards One Nation - Free Roaming,"Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal said while unveiling the draft New Telecom Policy2011.

He, however, did not give any time line for implementing itand said this would be achieved as "we move forward."

"In achieving the goal of NTP-2011 revenue generationwill play a secondary role," he said adding that the government wouldstrive to bridge the digital divide between urban and rural India.

Highlighting the vision "Broadband on Demand", theNTP -2011 envisages leveraging telecom infrastructure to enable all citizensand businesses, both in rural and urban area to participate in the internet andweb economy thereby ensuring equitable and inclusive development across thenation.

"We will seek TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority ofIndia) recommendations on new licences, migration to new licences and otherpolicy recommendations," Sibal said adding that the government would framean appropriate policy for players to exit from the sector.

In the wake of the 2G scam, the minister said spectrumallocation would be delinked from licences and radio waves would be madeavailable at market-determined prices. (With Agency Inputs)