Trai defends power to vet interconnect pacts

NEW DELHI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has told the Supreme Court that it is empowered to regulate interconnection agreements entered into by the telecom service providers. Opposing BSNL’s appeal, Trai said that its tariff regime is based on the principle of non-discrimination and level playing field. The appellant had alleged that the Trai tariff regulation is detrimental and prejudicial to it.

The Trai affidavit said that even under the licences granted to the service providers after the amendment to the Trai Act in 2000, there are clear stipulations that matters pertaining to the interconnection between the service providers shall be within the total jurisdiction of interconnection regulations issued by the Authority from time to time.

However, BSNL had said that the Trai has no such power for those licences which were issued after 2000 in view of an amendment of section 11 of Trai Act, 1997.