Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : Qualcomm Moderated Thread - please read rules before posting -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: foundation who wrote (30599)	1/1/2003 5:44:15 PM
From: foundation	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 196568

Reliance May Leverage MTNL, BSNL To Get In Cell Loop Thursday, January 02, 2003 Mamuni Das New Delhi: If cellular operators thought they had Reliance Infocomm stumped on interconnect agreements that would enable the former’s wireless in local loop (WLL) subscribers to talk to cell users, they need to think again. Reliance may well have got around direct interconnect with global system for mobile communication (GSM) cellular players by using its agreements with the public sector Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL). Reliance has signed an interconnect agreement with the incumbents — MTNL and BSNL. And MTNL and BSNL, in turn, have signed interconnect agreements with the cellular players. Reliance sources revealed that this would be the plan of action if interconnect deals with cellular operators take any longer to materialise. The company’s spokesperson was unavailable for comment. So, until direct interconnect agreements with the cellular players come through, Reliance will route its calls through MTNL and BSNL to cellular companies. As a result, the Reliance limited mobility subscribers will be able to call all cellular subscribers of private operators although the reverse will still not be possible without interconnect. As per the current regulations, BSNL and MTNL are authorised to carry transit calls, which means both the players can act as carriers between two telecom service providers who do not have a direct interconnect agreement, a top BSNL official said. Also, private telecom players, on whose network the calls are terminating, cannot refuse any calls from BSNL or MTNL — irrespective of where the call originates, he added. Which means that private cellular operators are bound by regulation to take calls from MTNL and BSNL. In fact, until about two years ago, it was mandatory for all private operators to connect to each other via BSNL/MTNL networks. It was only in 2000 that the government allowed direct connectivity as an option to the players. Cellular Operators Association of India director general TV Ramachandran said that it would not be a “fair move” and cellular operators would protest. The head of a leading private cellular service provider refused to comment on the issue. According to officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), it was a matter for the operators to decide amongst themselves. Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited managing director Narinder Sharma said, “From the broad view that I have, it’s an option for a player to have a direct interconnect or go through a transit. But as far as we are concerned, we will be looking at a tripartite agreement. We would ask both the parties to agree.” Technically all cellular operators can trace the origin of calls from their switching centres, according to ICRA Advisory Services manager Amitabha Saxena. But interconnect just can’t be ‘denied’ by any player as per ITU regulations, he added. For example, Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited has interconnect agreements with around 80 countries. But that doesn’t mean that Indians can’t make calls to the other countries. financialexpress.com