Trai suggests flexibility for VNOs to access more than one NSO for connectivity

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has recommended a flexible Access Service VNO regime that allows connectivity from more than one NSO.

Under the extant regime, an Access Service VNO is permitted to take connectivity from only one NSO in the Licenced Service Area (LSA) for providing both wireline and wireless access services in that LSA.

VNOs are allowed to have agreements with more than one NSO for all services other than Access Service and those which need numbering and unique identity of the customer

Trai has also recommended that an Access Service VNO should also be permitted to take connectivity from one NSO for wireless access service and other NSO(s) for wireline access service in the LSA. 

Trai said these recommendations, if implemented, would help improve the quality of telecom services in the country.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had, in its letter dated 7 July 2023, sought Trai’s views on ‘Connectivity to Access Service VNOs from more than one NSO.’ Trai subsequently initiated a consultation process soliciting comments and counter-comments from stakeholders.

After receiving comments and counter comments from stakeholders, Trai convened an open house discussion on 8 May 2024, before finalising its recommendations, according to a telecom ministry release.

DoT introduced the Virtual Network Service regime in the country in 2016, which was seen as an extension of Network Service Operators. VNOs can provide telecommunication services as per the agreement with NSOs.