Wednesday, March 30, 2011

TRAI to float paper on mobile value services in April

Telecom regulator Trai today said it will bring out a consultation paper on mobile value-added services next month and will give its recommendations by the end of June. 

"Trai will come out with a consultation paper on the mobile value-added services (MVAS) in April and by the end of June, Trai wil give recommendations on value-added services," Trai Chairman J S Sarma said here in a FICCI event. 

In January this year, Trai had sought views of mobile operators on growth opportunities in value-added services, including policy framework and support infrastructure to usher in inclusive growth. 

Trai, in association with industry body Assocham, had also released a study paper, titled 'Mobile Value-Added Services (MVAS) - A vehicle to usher in inclusive growth and bridge the digital divide' on which Trai had sought comments from various service operators in February this year. 

Besides, Sarma said the recommendations on equipment manufacturing policy will be out by the end of this week. 

TRAI had in January this year floated a consultation paper on the telecom infrastructure policy, and which after taking in stakeholders' views, closed on February 21. 

The Authority had started the process for coming up with recommendations on encouraging telecom equipment manufacturing in the country from May 6, 2010. 

Sarma added that the recommendations on 'green telecom' will come out next week. The recommendations will deliberate on ways to check carbon emissions, promote energy-efficient technologies and manage e-waste in view of rapid growth in the sector.source