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To: Uncle Frank who wrote (97181)	4/9/2001 2:43:13 PM
From: JohnG	Respond to of 152472

Defiant Paswan says WLL show will go on Business Times Bureau NEW DELHI: A day after the government referred the limited-area mobile telephone service based on wireless in local loop (WLL) technology for review by a group of ministers, a defiant communications minister Ram Vilas Paswan said that the government would go ahead with the project and if necessary suitably modify the New Telecom Policy (NTP), 1999, for the purpose. "We are committed to provide limited-area telephone through WLL...we are also examining whether it will be in conformity with NTP, 1999," Paswan told reporters in Patna. He said NTP, 1999, did not permit introduction of WLL and would be modified suitably. In a meeting presided by the Prime Minister on Friday, the Centre had referred the issue of limited mobility in basic telephone to the high-powered group on convergence headed by finance minister Yashwant Sinha. The group has been asked to submit its recommendations by April 30. The group will examine whether: * The New Telecom Policy 1999 allowed fixed-line service providers to offer limited mobility in their area of operation; * If it is permitted under the policy, how it can be introduced without upsetting a level-playing field for different categories of service providers; and * If the norms do not allow limited mobility to be offered by the fixed-line service providers, then how the policy can be modified to facilitate the service to ensure faster achievement of tele-density target as well as connect rural and remote areas at affordable rates. The parliamentary standing committee on information technology, while endorsing the telecom ministry's view on promoting cheaper services and increasing tele-density from 3.2 per 100 people, at present, to 15 by 2010, had also called for a closer look into the matter to ensure a level-playing field. Cellular operators have cried foul over the government's decision to allow fixed-line service providers to offer limited mobility for a nominal entry fee. The move was cleared by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India in February. Cell firms said it put them at a disadvantage as the service offered by the fixed-line operators would have most of the features of a cellular service with additional benefits of low airtime rates of Rs 1.20 for a 3-minute call and free incoming calls. Besides, cell firms have also said that they have paid huge entry fee --about Rs 7,300 crore --and want the government to charge the fixed-line service providers extra for permission to offer limited mobility. The Cellular Operators Association of India has dragged the government to the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) over the issue. Countering these points, TRAI had said there was no need for a separate licence for limited mobility as limited mobility was nothing but an extension of technology to serve consumers. On their part, basic operators have pointed out that cell firms have already recovered most of their costs on account of higher tariffs and rentals.