What is the Regulatory Authority of Telecom in India?

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What is the Regulatory Authority of Telecom in India?

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is the regulatory authority for telecommunications in India. This authority was established by an Act of Parliament to regulate the telecommunication services and to protect the interests of service providers and consumers of telecom services. To know about TRAI, its history and functions, keep scrolling.

What is TRAI?

TRAI full form is Telecom Regulatory Authority of India. It is an independent regulator of the Indian telecommunications industry. It was established by the Government of India in 1997, under an Act of Parliament Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act 1997. 

Historical Overview of TRAI

TRAI’s journey began when it was set up on 20th February, 1997. The goal behind its establishment was to regulate the telecom sector, which at the time was becoming more open to private competition at the time. 

Prior to the formation of TRAI, the Central Government was in charge of regulating the telecom industry. However, the industry was becoming increasingly competitive and complex. Therefore, it was believed that in order to guarantee fair competition and protect the interests of consumers, an independent regulatory authority was needed.

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Organizational Structure of TRAI

The organizational structure of the telecom regulatory authority is as follows:

• TRAI has a Chairman, a minimum of two full-time members and a maximum of two part-time members.

• All of the members of TRAI are elected by the Central Government.

• All the TRAI members possess special knowledge of or professional experience in the field of telecom, finance, law, accountancy, management or consumer affairs.

• TRAI office is held by the chairman and all other members for a period of three years or 65 years of age, whichever is earlier.

Responsibilities of Telecom Regulatory Authority

The telecom industry regulator in India has the following roles and responsibilities to play and fulfill:

Formulating Recommendations

The main role of the telecom authority is to formulate recommendations to the government on certain matters, such as. 

• Revocation of Telecom License in case of non-compliance or violation of terms and conditions.

• Requirement for introduction of a fresh service provider.

• Measures to promote competition and efficiency in the operations of telecom services to facilitate their development.

• Recommendations for technological improvements in services offered by telecom service providers.

Fulfilling Regulatory Functions

TRAI must fulfill the following regulatory functions:

• Making sure everyone complies with the telecom license’s terms and conditions.

• Ensuring technology of different service providers works together.

• Setting standards and norms regarding how service providers should maintain high-quality services.

• Notifying the official rates at which the telecom services within India shall be provided under the TRAI Act 1997 in a timely manner.

• Conducting periodical surveys for telecom services and ensuring the quality of such services is high.

Non-Binding Advisory Services

TRAI offers advisory services which are non-binding in nature. Some of these services are:

• TRAI makes suggestions to the Central Government. The Central Government can reject them and send them back to TRAI for reconsideration.

• TRAI forwards its recommendations to the Central Government after considering the reference made by that Government within a period of 15 working days.

Conclusion

TRAI was established more than two decades ago. The authority oversees the telecom industry in India and makes various recommendations to the central government. The organizational framework of the TRAI consists of a chairman, two full member members and two part time members who are appointed by the central government. TRAI plays an important role in the telecom sector and protects the interests of the consumers. It conducts periodical surveys related to telecom services.

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