DoT introduces new guidelines for 4G mobile telephony

The Department of Telecommunication has introduced a list of new guidelines that will allow 4G players to offer mobile telephony. This piece of news will allow Internet Service providers (ISP) that hold 4G licenses to offer voice telephony along with high speed Internet. Companies like Reliance Jio Infocomm, Augere and Tikona, won BWA spectrum during the auctions, can now offer mobile telephony service by paying an extra amount of Rs 1,658.57 crore.

DoT introduces new guidelines for 4G

It is also good news for consumers as there have been speculations that the cancellation of telecom licences would lead to decrease in competition and eventually increase in voice tariffs among the remaining players. In fact, as DoT is now allowing 4G players to enter the voice segment, there is a possibility that the rates may be decreased.

According to the new guideline introduced by DoT: “Entry fee applicable to migration to Unified License shall be equal to entry fee for new Unified License except for Internet Service Provider with BWA spectrum. For migration of ISP with BWA spectrum to UL regime with authorisation of providing access services, which enables it to provide mobile voice services also using BWA spectrum, an additional fee equal to the difference between the entry fee for UASL as per details in Annexure V and entry fee paid for ISP license shall be payable in addition to the entry fee as applicable for new UL.”

This means companies with 4G wireless broadband spectrum and an ISP license can pay the additional amount of Rs 1,658.57 crore, excluding fees payable for unified licences for pan India. Among the companies that won 4G spectrum, Airtel and Aircel already offer mobile services. Moreover, Reliance is said to bring 4G services by the end of the year.