The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has come into being as a consequence of the opening up of the telecommunication sector to private operators. It was set up under the TRAI Act of 1997.
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What is TRAI?
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) was set up in order to have a suitable environment for the growth of the telecommunications industry in the country and be a part of the global information society. It is a statutory body and regulates the telecommunications sector in the country.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) was established with effect from February 20, 1997, by an Act of Parliament, called the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997.It was established to regulate telecom services, including fixation/revision of tariffs for telecom services which were earlier vested in the Central Government.
TRAI Structure
- TRAI shall have, in addition to its chairman, at least two full-time members and not more than two-part members, all appointed by the Central Government.
- The members should have special knowledge of, or professional experience in telecom, industry, finance, accountancy, law, management and consumer affairs.
- Only those senior or retired Government officers can be appointed as members who have served for at least three years as secretary/additional secretary to the Union or State Governments.
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Telecom Disputes Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT)
- The powers of the TRAI have been considerably diluted by the TRAI (Amendment) Ordinance, 2000. Now the regulation of telecom services is to be done by TRAI and the newly set up Telecom Disputes Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT).
- They will also adjudicate disputes, dispose of appeals, protect interests of service providers and consumers, to promote and ensure orderly growth of the telecom sector.
The composition of TDSAT is also changed to include the chairman and not more than two whole-time members and not more than two part-time members to be appointed by the Government. The TDSAT has been given the mandate to adjudicate disputes:-
(i) between a licensor and a licensee;
(ii) between two or more service providers;
(iii) between a service provider and a group of consumers.
The Union Government, State Government, any local authority or any individual can approach the TDSAT for adjudication on issues related to disputes between parties mentioned above.
The chairperson and members of this tribunal are to be appointed by the Government of India in consultation with the Chief Justice of India.
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Also, refer to the links given below:
| Constitutional, Statutory and Quasi | Constitutional Bodies |
| Different Commissions and their Recommendations | The Structure of a Department – Government of India |
| Various Committees and Their Purpose | Important Committees and Commissions in India |
Powers and Functions of TRAI
The Powers and Functions of TRAI are mainly:
- To recommend the need for and timing of introduction of new service providers and terms and conditions of the license to a service provider;
- To ensure technical compatibility and inter-connect between different service providers and regulate their revenue-sharing arrangements;
- To ensure compliance with terms of license and revaluation of the same for non-compliance;
- To lay down and ensure a time period for providing long-distance and local distance circuits;
- To facilitate competition and promote efficiency in operations to promote the growth of telecom services;
- To protect consumers’ interest, monitor quality of services, inspect equipment used in networks and make recommendations about such equipment;
- To maintain a register of interconnect agreements and keep it open for inspection and to settle disputes among the service providers in this respect;
- To give advice to the government on any matter related to the telecom industry. Levy fees and charges for services and, ensure that universal service obligations are complied with; and
- To perform any such other administration and financial function as may be entrusted to it by the Central Government.
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI):- Download PDF Here
UPSC Questions related to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)
Q1
Who is the chairman of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India?
PD Vaghela was appointed the chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India in September 2020.
Q2
Is TRAI a statutory body?
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is a statutory body set up by the Government of India under section 3 of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997.
Q3
Where are the headquarters of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India?
The headquarters of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India is located in New Delhi.
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FAQs
Tariff Regulation: TRAI has the authority to regulate tariffs and pricing of telecom services. It ensures that the tariffs charged by service providers are reasonable and transparent. TRAI also monitors and regulates interconnection charges between different telecom operators.
What is the role of TRAI in regulation of telecom in India? ›
To give advice to the government on any matter related to the telecom industry. Levy fees and charges for services and, ensure that universal service obligations are complied with; and. To perform any such other administration and financial function as may be entrusted to it by the Central Government.
What is the conclusion of TRAI? ›
Conclusion. The Act of TRAI has initiated “the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)” for legislating and overseeing the telecom sector and “the Telecom Dispute Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT)” to consider controversies between a licence and a licence-holders.
What is the benefit of TRAI? ›
Advantages of TRAI
Ensures smooth execution of work by service providers. Maintain hassle-free services. Provides quality of services. Consumer grievances are also handled and reviewed to ensure quick response and solutions to customers by service providers.
Is TRAI an international institution? ›
TRAI is an acronym of Telecom Regularity Authority of India which regulates the various telecom services and rules of telecom services in India, it is not an international institution as it operates only in India.
What are the telecom regulatory laws in India? ›
(1) Any person intending to— (a) provide telecommunication services; (b) establish, operate, maintain or expand telecommunication network; or (c) possess radio equipment, shall obtain an authorisation from the Central Government, subject to such terms and conditions, including fees or charges, as may be prescribed.
What is the telecom policy of India? ›
National Telecom Policy 2012 aims to ensure that India fulfills this role effectively and transforms the socioeconomic landscape through accelerated equitable and inclusive economic growth, focusing on providing affordable and high-quality telecommunication services in rural and remote areas.
What is the role of TRAI in Indian democracy? ›
TRAI was set up to regulate the telecommunications sector in India, which was opening up to private competition at the time. Before the establishment of TRAI, the regulation of the telecommunications sector was vested with the Central Government. The sector became more complex and competitive.
What does TRAI stand for in India? ›
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is a regulatory body set up by the Government of India under section 3 of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997. It is the regulator of the telecommunications sector in India.
What is the conclusion of telecommunication? ›
Conclusion of telecommunication: It has established itself as an irreplaceable force in all our lives. Securing connections, enhancing safety, driving economic growth, and promoting education, telecommunication has indelibly woven itself into the very fabric of society.
Telecommunication helps your business to operate on all levels, which can lead to huge increases in efficiency. In addition, poorly communicated information and misunderstandings are less likely, which can reduce mistakes and raise productivity.
Who is the telecom regulator? ›
of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
What is the TV Authority of India? ›
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), all regulate different aspects of cable television. Moreover, different types of operators report to different authorities.
What is the history of telecom in India? ›
Telecommunications in India began with the introduction of the telegraph. The Indian postal and telecom sectors are one of the world's oldest. In 1850, the first experimental electric telegraph line was started between Calcutta and Diamond Harbour. In 1851, it was opened for the use of the British East India Company.
What is the full form of TRAI in medical? ›
The TRAI is set up under section 3 of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997. For providing healthcare facilities, TRAI has started the medical scheme.
Who runs the international institutions? ›
The United Nations is the primary international organization responsible for maintaining peace and facilitating cooperation among states to resolve issues that require collective ac- tion. The United Nations' executive arm is the Secretariat.
Who controls telecom industry in India? ›
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is a regulatory body set up by the Government of India under section 3 of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997. It is the regulator of the telecommunications sector in India.
What is the National Agency of telecommunications Regulation? ›
The National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ANRT) is the public body responsible for the control and regulation of the telecommunications sector. The Agency was established by the Head of Government and is endowed with a legal personality and financial autonomy.
How many internet users are there in India according to TRAI? ›
The report said that out of 936.16 million internet subscribers, there are 38.57 million wired internet subscribers while wireless internet subscribers are at 897.59 million. Additionally, the country has a 904.54 million broadband internet subscriber base and 31.62 million narrowband subscriber base.
How does telecom industry work in India? ›
The Telecommunications industry is divided into following subsectors: Infrastructure, Equipment, Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MNVO), White Space Spectrum, 5G, Telephone service providers and Broadband.
