TRAI Moots Reforms In Transfer, Merger Norms For Telecom Licences

Regulator’s suggestions range from new market share math to approval timelines

- 

In a bid to reform norms for transfer and merger of telecom licences, TRAI on Friday suggested that while both subscriber base and revenue should be considered in determining market share for mobile and internet service providers, only revenue should be taken into account for market share calculation for other services such as national and international long distance telephony.

The sector regulator also suggested that the one-year timeline currently allowed for transfer/merger of licences in different service areas after National Company Law Tribunal nod should exclude time spent by companies in pursuing any litigation on account of which the final approval of a merger is delayed.