We will come out with IUC regulations as soon as possible: RS Sharma, TRAI

Talking to ET Now, RS Sharma, Chairman, TRAI, says any talk about negotiations is pure speculation.

Edited excerpts:

There is speculation that the spat over interconnect usage charges (IUC) is over and a decision has been reached?
As you said, it is unadulterated speculation. As far as the IUC results are concerned, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) is working very hard on that and we will bring it out as soon as possible.

Can we say that the negotiations are at an advanced stage?

Negotiations, there are no…

The discussions…

No not even discussion. Discussions and other things have already happened. We are working out the details and a lot of work is to be done because we had a consultation. We had an open house discussion. We also had a workshop with the telecom service providers and therefore a lot of work is being done and we will be able to come out with the IUC regulation as soon as possible.

Airtel in a letter to TRAI wrote that Reliance Jio has been misrepresenting the authorities as far as IUC is concerned. What kind of spot does it put you as a regulator especially when IUC recommendations are going to come in?

A lot of companies are writing these letters and making allegations. We have nothing to do with that. Whatever representation they give to us, we take that into consideration.

The telecom commission is looking into the financial health of the telecom sector and says immediate relief measures are required. Do you think that that sector is still in financial stress and what kind of role can the regulator play?

I have no comments to offer on what the telecom commission has said to the interministerial group.