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"Customer’s Satisfaction Is Of Paramount Importance"

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VoicenData Bureau
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ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Sushma Swaraj, union

communications minister, has been credited with taking a number of decisions in the last

two months. Recommendation for privatization of Internet gateways, DoT corporatization,

infrastructure status to paging and VSAT industries, and reduction in the double rental of

the leased line are some of them. In fact, the pace with which the long pending issues

have been taken up one after another is worth appreciating. But still there is a lot to be

done before winning the confidence of the communication industry. In an exclusive

interview to Voice & Data, Sushma Swaraj talks about her agenda. Excerpts:

In an interview to a daily you

have mentioned that if India lags behind in telephone revolution, then it will become a

backward nation in the future. What are the steps you have planned to kick-start the

telecom revolution?

In order to boost telecom development,

both in quantitative and qualitative terms, the government has launched a multi-pronged

strategy. The thrust is on restructuring DoT, and proliferation of enhanced telecom

services such as Internet, phone plus, and multimedia. These, however, would be achieved

with the extensive participation of DoT and the private sector and, to this extent, the

problems related to these would be addressed on a priority basis.

You have been credited as

moving at super-sonic speed in resolving existing telecom issues. Can you briefly discuss

those decisions? Also what are the major decisions that the country should look forward to

in the coming three months?

The major issues drawing the attention of

the government for the present relate to the problems faced by the basic and value-added

telephone service providers, restructuring of DoT, and the



introduction of a variety of new telecom services such as Global Mobile Personal
Communication Systems (GMPCS), phone plus, multimedia, and Internet services so as to make

these available in every part of the country. Telecommunications in the rural, tribal, and

inaccessible regions will receive special attention.

While addressing the issues of the

cellular industry, you have asked BICP to submit its report. But it seems nothing much has

moved in resolving the basic service operators problems. Also when do you wish to announce

the fourth round of bidding in basic services?

With regard to basic telephone service

licences, many problems pertaining to the licence conditions were resolved before the

licences were awarded. However, the problem relating to right-of-way in the cities as well

as along the highways has surfaced during the course of implementing these projects. The

Department is trying its best to resolve this issue through inter-ministerial

consultations. With regard to the upfront licence fee payable by these licensees, it has

to be appreciated that the fee was quoted by the licensees themselves and as such there is

nothing much that the government can do. With respect to the next round of bidding for the

basic telephone service, internal discussions are on to eliminate some of the problems

experienced during the first phase of tendering. A decision on this is likely to be taken

in the near future.

Corporatization of DoT is being given a

lot of emphasis. What is your modus-operandi in fulfilling the promise?

The matter regarding corporatization of

DoT is being processed actively through inter-ministerial consultations.

There is no dearth of investments but

the lack of transparency and consistency in policy making has affected the investors’

confidence. How will you ensure a policy wouldn’t change as frequently as the

governments?

It would not be correct to say that the

investors’ confidence was shaken up on account of lack of transparency and

consistency in implementing the telecom reforms process. Only four years have passed since

telecom service sector was fully liberalized after formulation of National Telecom Policy

in 1994. Some teething problems are inevitable. Partly, the problem is due to high licence

fees quoted by the operators. However, the government has taken seize of the problem and

would like to resolve it speedily in the interest of telecom development in the country.

Opening up of long distance calls to

the private operators is a long awaited decision. Is there anything substantial in the

offing?

As regards to reviewing the policy on

carriage of long distance traffic (STD/ISD), we stand committed to World Trade

Organization for its review by the year 1999.

Tussle between DoT as a monopoly and

the regulator has unnecessarily delayed the decisions. Have you taken any initiative to

prevent this from happening again?

The Telecom Commission and the Telecom

Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) have to play complimentary roles in the development

of telecom service in India keeping in view the overall interest of the consumers. Once

this objective is clear, there cannot be any difference in perception. In fact, they have

a common goal to achieve.

The government, therefore, would like to

create an environment of mutual faith and a sense of partnership within the two

organizations for achieving the aforesaid objective. Any other role by either body is

totally unacceptable to the government. However, there are some grey areas with regard to

the respective roles of DoT and TRAI under the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act,

1997. The government has sought an authoritative interpretation of the Act from the Delhi

High Court. Further action will be taken in the light of the High Court decision.

You have talked about creating special

cells to cater to the problems of different industry segments. When is it in the offing

and in what structure?

This matter is under consideration of the

government and likely to be finalized soon.

As the communications minister of

India, what are your commitments to the common telecom user in this country?

Telecom services have assumed significant

status in the process of nation building and to this end the customer’s satisfaction

is of paramount importance. I would also like to upgrade the telecom infrastructure in

such a way that the needs of the talented younger generation are fully met to enhance

their participation and contribution at the global level. n

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