The TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India), on 19th June issued a press release where they released recommendations on ‘Licensing Framework and Regulatory Mechanism for Submarine Cable Landing in India’.
According to the press release, TRAI has received a reference letter dated 12.08.2022 from DoT seeking recommendations on licensing framework and regulatory mechanism for submarine cables landing in India within existing UL-ILD/ standalone ILD licence. DoT raised concern over the fact that recently some Indian ILDOs not having any stake in submarine cable systems are seeking clearance on behalf of the owners of submarine cable for laying/ maintaining such cables in India and are also applying for setting up of Cable Landing Station (CLS) for such submarine cables. Apart from the issue raised by DoT, the Authority had also identified certain other issues related to submarine cables.
The TRAI issued a Consultation Paper on Licensing Framework and Regulatory Mechanism for Submarine Cable Landing in India’ on 23rd December 2023. Comments and counter-comments were received from various stakeholders. In this regard, an Open House Discussion (OHD) was also held on 19-04-2022 through video conference. Based on the comments received during the consultation process, discussion was held during OHD and for further analysis of the issues, the Authority finalised Recommendations on Licensing Framework and Regulatory Mechanism for Submarine Cable Landing in India’.
The features of the recommendations, as mentioned in the press release are — the changes required in licencing/regulatory regime in view of the new generation submarine cable system, ownership of submarine cable laying in India, Indian flagged vessel for submarine cable operation and maintenance, domestic submarine cable, terrestrial link between two different cable landing stations, stub-cable, and other issues such as ‘Essential services’ status, exemption of custom duties and goods, clearances related to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Coastal Region Zone (CRZ) etc., about which can be found in detail in the press release.
The recommendations are placed on TRAI’s website www.trai.gov.in. And for any clarification/information, Shri Sanjeev Kumar Sharma, the Advisor (Broadband and Policy Analysis) of TRAI can be contacted.
