Expediting exemption of license fees on broadband requested at 1st India ISP conclave

Issues as suggested recommendations from the Conclave include: Request for expediting exemption of License fees on internet/broadband, Resolution of AGR related issues of ISPs – Request review for settlement, AGR demand to be made within a maximum one year period, Exemption of non-licensed revenues from AGR-clarification, Rationalization of GST/ Taxes on Rural and Fixed line Broadband Service among others.

ISPAI (Internet Service Providers Association of India) organized the “1st India ISP Conclave” at Pune on 12th & 13th June 2023 with active support of Department of Telecommunications (DoT) along with All Members meet of ISPAI on 11th June to celebrate its Silver Jubilee year.

The two-day conclave was planned and organized in a very short time of only 20 working days targeting ISPs from different parts of India to come under one roof to interact directly with the Government officials from DoT HQ, DoT Field Units , Other Officials, representatives of International Telecom Union (ITU), Vendors of indigenous equipment and other important players of the internet ecosystem like Internet Exchange Operators, CDNs, Data Center players etc. The Conclave was attended in person by more than 700+ participants including ISPs, VNOs, Govt. Officials, Exhibitors viz Equipment Vendors, representatives of Internet Exchanges, Data Centres, CDNs in addition to more than 4900 viewers who viewed the event Online.

The inaugural function began with the speech of Rajesh Chharia, President ISPAI who gave a very warm welcome to all the dignitaries, Government officers from DOT & BSNL & ISPs. Thereafter Praveen Sharma , Secretary ISPAI set the tone for the Conclave by raising issues of ISPs which need to be dealt with and will be deliberated during the two day Conclave. Some of the issues raised were related to AGR /License Fee , rationalization of GST for broadband services including for rural areas , RoW related issues , non-availability of spectrum for ISPs etc. The conference was addressed by Smt. Gunjan Dave Member Technology , Digital Communication Commission , DoT HQ who emphasized the importance of hand holding ISPs for achieving faster development of telecom facilities in the urban and rural areas. Inaugural session was also addressed by Shri. Parag Jain , Principal Secretary, IT Maharashtra state who informed that ROW portal of Maharashtra state integrated with Gati Shakti.

Portal for registration of ROW application online and approvals are given within 60 days. He also said that Dark fibre are available to be taken on lease if any of ISPs need the same. The Secretary (Telecom) K. Rajaraman delivered the Keynote Address and stated that Industry can consider the Department of Telecommunications' institutions as their own. He also exhorted ISPAI to play a stellar role in the field of skill development and developing training program as also for dealing with various issues of ISPs, He stated that this type of conference gives a Platform to Brainstorm to generate new ideas and work together for betterment of society and our country.

During the two day Conclave , Presentations and interactive sessions were taken by various Industry Experts including from the DoT, APNIC, ITU , Service Providers and Vendors. The Session on Right of Way issues by DDG NBM Shri Neeraj was both informative and interactive and provided lot of value to ISPs. Similarly session on license compliances led by panel of Government officers under stewardship of Vivek Narayan, DDG in charge of ISP licensing was extremely useful and interactive. Similarly the sessions taken by Ajay Kumar DDG License Finance Assessment was highly interactive and participative for the ISP participants . Session by the Internet Exchange Players, CDNs and Data Centers with theme of how can they rediuce the Capex and Opex of ISPs evoked high interest amongst the participants.

Sessions taken by Tejas and CDOT and other equipment vendors also gave a glimpse of possibilities to the ISP participants in the Conclave. There was overwhelming participation by the ISPs in the sessions on issues relating to IPV6 proliferation which was taken by APNIC officials and DDG NT DoT HQ, Quality of Services session taken by TRAI and other Vendors.

Experience sharing by Airtel delivered by Mr Rahul Vats , CRO Airtel and all other sessions like one taken by SBI on Financing Options . There was also presentation on the Bharat Net in which the presenter from BSNL Mr V P Singh offered ISPs a revenue share model to offer broadband services in rural areas using Bharat Net under Bharat Network Udyami scheme. The ISP Participants raised many queries on the practical issues being faced by ISPs during all sessions of the Conclave.

Many service providers including the Internet Exchange providers and indigenous hardware

manufactures exhibited their products and services in the exhibition. There were 30 exhibitors which include 15 Start Ups showcasing their products especially for the ISPs. The exhibitors were thrilled to see the participation of the ISPs and the response received from the Participants and it paved a way for a win -win partnership between Vendors and ISPs.

Conclave ended with the Valedictory Session which was chaired by Member Technology DCC DoT with participation of DDG DS , DoT HQ, Rajesh Chharia President and Praveen Sharma Secretary ISPAI. Member Technology DCC DoT, spoke that session CAPEX AND OPEX of ISPs is to be reduced has been well presented. On Indigenization she supported ISPs .She further stated that issue of exorbitant ROW charges is to resolved and AGR related issues will also be resolved. Praveen Sharma, Secretary ISPAI raised following issues as suggested recommendations from the Conclave which included:

Request for expediting exemption of License fees on internet/broadband, Resolution of AGR related issues of ISPs – Request review for settlement, AGR demand to be made within a maximum one year period, Exemption of non-licensed revenues from AGR-clarification, Rationalization of GST/ Taxes on Rural and Fixed line Broadband Service, Finalization of LF dues in a time bound manner, Availability of access spectrum for broadband proliferation to ISPs, Participation of ISPs to be allowed in the bidding, Exorbitant RoW charges by smart cities ,Lack of uniform RoW policy in case of O/H alignments, Simplification of regulatory compliances for Cat C and Cat B ISPs, under ISP license Infrastructure sharing – Active & Passive to be allowed among others. In the end, Rajesh Chharia, President ISPAI announced. 2nd India ISP Conclave in 2024.