Online discussion may work: COAI

Sources close to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), however, felt such a solution may not be practical given that an issue as important as floor price of tariffs, needs to be widely-debated especially with consumer participation at an appropriate time, and not be turned into a hurried and limited exercise.

Cellular Operators’ Association of India (COAI) Director General, Rajan Mathews said since the responses have already come in, an open house through online mechanisms could be explored by TRAI. “The bulk of responses have already come in through written comments, and additional inputs, if any, can be given via suitable alternates like an online or electronic open house forum, in case TRAI wants. Floor price is a pressing need of the industry,” Mathews said. He, however pointed out this was a call for TRAI to take after considering various factors like extent of online accessibility for stakeholders including the general public. TRAI Secretary SK Gupta said any suggestion of telecom service providers to do open house on electronic medium “needs to be analysed considering the provisions of transparency in TRAI Act.