Regulator Trai, DoT on same page on Net neutrality, says Manoj Sinha

Frequent call drops, which had become a menace for the last few years, are no longer a major issue as there has been substantial improvement in quality of services. There have been regular meetings with all stakeholders along with constant monitoring from the government on this issue impacting the mobile consumers. Minister of State for Communications Manoj Sinha, in an interview with Mansi Taneja, said it is a continuous process and there has been significant reduction in call drops compared to last year but efforts have to be expedited. The minister also said Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's (Trai) recommendations on Net neutrality are in line with their earlier stand that internet should be available to all.

Last year, call drops was a big issue. How has it improved? What kind of investments have been made by telecom operators?

We have had discussions with different stakeholders. Compared to last year, call drops have significantly reduced and even telecom regulator Trai's latest reports have proved this. We have taken many proactive decisions to correct the growth in infrastructure in telecom industry. In the last one year, around 3.45 lakh BTSs (base transmission stations) have been installed by telecom players and 3.8 lakh cells have been rectified. We had launched an IVRS (interactive voice response system) facility last year through which we contacted about 95 lakh subscribers and many have responded in it. Improvement is a continuous process, there have been substantial improvement in call drops in one year but efforts have to be expedited. We have to go a long way and an engagement with all stakeholders will keep happening.

You are in the process of formulating a new telecom policy. What will be the key areas of focus?

The new policy will be framed in such a way that it will include all the new technologies such as artificial intelligence, internet of things (IoT), machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, 5G, among others. Things are moving at a fast pace. The first meeting of 5G forum also took place last Thursday. The objective is to make India future-ready at a time when data adoption is increasing at a fast pace and will be the centre of many things. 5G technology will speed up the digital transformation.

Of late, the level of competition in telecom sector has increased manifold. What are your views?

We are in a consolidation phase. Globally, there are 2-3 players in telecom sector. Here also, only 4-5 players will be left. There is stiff competition and tariffs for voice and data are very low. Indian mobile market has huge potential. On the level of competition, there is no view currently. Let's wait for results for the next two quarters and then we will firm up our view.

But since the entry of a new player, the financials of the telecom industry have taken a hit. They have been asking for some incentives and are not satisfied with the measures announced by an inter-ministerial group (IMG).

We had set up an IMG to suggest ways to ease down the financial stress in the telecom sector. They had conducted a detailed study and suggested three measures – increase in tenure of deferred spectrum installments (for spectrum bought in auctions) to 16 years from 10 years, while lowering the rate of interest charged on dues on delayed payments. On spectrum caps, we had taken Trai's opinion and have received it. It will be sent to the Cabinet soon for final approval. Such a disruption had happened in 2003 as well and the market had stabilised within a year at that time. There has been some impact in the last few quarters but in the next six-eight months, the sector will stabilise.

Trai has recently come out with recommendations on Net neutrality barring service providers for any discrimination or interference in the treatment of content. When will Department of Telecom (DoT) take a call on it?

Trai's recommendations are broadly in line with DoT's earlier views. Our government is committed to provide internet to all. Internet should be open and available to all.

Trai had also recommended a hefty penalty on three telecom operators for not providing interconnection points to Reliance Jio. Has DoT committee taken a decision on it?

We had set up a committee to look into it. Vodafone said their views have not been taken by the committee, they have just made their representation. The committee will soon take a final decision on it.

What's the update on BharatNet project? Will you be able to meet the new target of March 2019?

The project is on a fast-track mode. About 82,540 gram panchayats (GPs) are service ready and by the end of this year, this will increase to 100,000 GPs. Till now, 255,743 kilometre of optical fibre pipe has been laid while 248,233 km of optical fibre has been laid. We are progressing towards meeting the target. BharatNet will give a boost to broadband services across the country. It is an important part of government's Digital India initiatives. The target of March 2019 for second phase will be met. States have come on board and even private players have shown interest.

What are the measures being taken to improve financial health of public sector telecom units BSNL and MTNL? Are you looking to merge both?

BSNL is doing well; it has been recording operational profits for few years. They have been tapping new opportunities. After the entry of Reliance Jio, BSNL is the only telecom firm whose subscriber base has increased, though not in big numbers. BSNL has risen to the challenge. On MTNL, we are working on a revival plan. There is no proposal of their merger.

Are you looking to allot new spectrum bands to the operators? Will it be through an auction process?

We are planning to allot spectrum in E and V bands. Transparency is our priority, the model in which common man is benefitted will be followed. The speed will increase manifold. It will help in reducing call drops; it is of common man's use and is in national interest. Any organisation can take this spectrum. (E (71-76 GHz and 81-86 GHz) and V (57-64 GHz) are required to connect mobile towers and can be transmitted with speed of 1000 Mbps.)