Government plans a super regulator for communications sector
08/09/2014 07:24
A super regulator for telecom and broadcasting sectors may be on the unveil as the Department of Telecommunications revives the Communications Convergence Bill, reported PTI. The DoT is working on the idea of establishing a single regulatory framework for multi-faceted communications, IT and multi-media, sources said. A committee has been constituted to develop a conceptual framework for the Communications Convergence Bill, which was originally drafted in 2000 under the BJP-led NDA Government, but shelved due to difference between the Telecom Ministry and the Information & Broadcasting Ministry on bringing the broadcasting sector under a super-regulator, as per the media reports. The Bill proposes a super regulator, called Communications Commission with defined powers, procedures and functions for regulatory and licensin functions, and an Appellate Tribunal, sources said. It is, however, not clear if the proposed regulator will be a different body or the mandate of Trai will be extended. The DoT is likely to finalise the draft bill before the Winter Session of Parliament, they said. "We are working to set up a communications regulator. The modalities of it are yet to be worked out. There are two possibilities which is either the mandate of Trai will be extended or a new body will be set up," a source said.
08/09/2014 07:24
A super regulator for telecom and broadcasting sectors may be on the unveil as the Department of Telecommunications revives the Communications Convergence Bill, reported PTI. The DoT is working on the idea of establishing a single regulatory framework for multi-faceted communications, IT and multi-media, sources said. A committee has been constituted to develop a conceptual framework for the Communications Convergence Bill, which was originally drafted in 2000 under the BJP-led NDA Government, but shelved due to difference between the Telecom Ministry and the Information & Broadcasting Ministry on bringing the broadcasting sector under a super-regulator, as per the media reports. The Bill proposes a super regulator, called Communications Commission with defined powers, procedures and functions for regulatory and licensin functions, and an Appellate Tribunal, sources said. It is, however, not clear if the proposed regulator will be a different body or the mandate of Trai will be extended. The DoT is likely to finalise the draft bill before the Winter Session of Parliament, they said. "We are working to set up a communications regulator. The modalities of it are yet to be worked out. There are two possibilities which is either the mandate of Trai will be extended or a new body will be set up," a source said.
