Date:05/09/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/09/05/stories/2005090501690200.htm

Back DoT move on fixed wireless terminals — CDMA team to meet Minister

Thomas K. Thomas

New Delhi , Sept. 4

THE code Division Multiple Access- (CDMA) based operators, including Reliance Infocomm and Tata TeleServices, have sought a review of the Government's decision to restrict fixed line telephony to only wire line technology.

The operators will be presenting their case to the Ministry of Communications and IT in the next couple of days. The move comes after a decision by the Department of Telecom (DoT) to consider CDMA-based fixed wireless terminals (FWT) as a mobile service. The Government felt that the operators were not able to restrict the mobility of the phone within the subscribers' premises.

CDMA operators have, however, termed the decision as unfair. They say that the order will have an adverse impact on 6 million FWT subscribers who may be asked to shell out more as a result of the DoT's decision. Industry sources pointed out that the DoT order seemed to have been released without the written consent of the Minister of Communications and IT. They said that while the DoT order came on August 26, the Minister had signed the minutes of the meeting seeking approval on August 30. "We feel that the Communications Ministry has not been briefed well about the demerits of such a move and therefore, some of the operators may be meeting the Minister this week. The DoT move will increase the tariff for FWT considerably," said an industry source.

Operators have also raised the issue of permitting cordless phones, which can be taken outside subscribers' premises. According to the DoT order, any phone that allows subscribers' connectivity outside their premises is considered to be a mobile service.