BANGALORE, India-The Department of Telecommunications'(DoT’s) decision to launch cellular services has created a shock wave among private cellular service providers (PCSPs).
Taking advantage of its all-India fixed-line network, DoT plans to provide a single number to subscribers, allowing them to make and receive calls from anywhere in the country.
DoT subscribers thus would have the advantage of paying local tariffs for local calls made from anywhere in India.
In contrast, subscribers of existing PCSPs must pay a fee for local calls made in cities outside their service provider’s territories.
DoT, which initially plans to provide the service in 17 cities, will also have the advantage of market intelligence because as a regulator it has access to the PCSPs’ project proposals and license applications.
PCSPs are thus at odds with the DoT over the issue of providing business-sensitive information to the department, which is set to become their competitor.
