Telecom Operators Oppose PDOs Proposal Citing Security and Financial Restraints

Indian telecom companies are against the decision of Trai (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) to pave the way for Public Data Offices. These PDOs will resemble the old-fashioned PCOs, except they will cater to providing data to the public instead of calling facilities. However, in this development, the telecom operators are of the view that this move would further make a dent to the already financially hampered telecom industry and it would give rise to more security complications.

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The Trai, on the other hand, has based the concept of these Public Data Offices on the existing rule for cybercafes, citing the reason that these cyber cafes are allowed to avail internet services to the users after registering with the required authority. Similarly, these PDOs will be able to function after they register with the DoT.

However, the telecom companies have not taken this proposal on a positive note. The telcos have shown disapproval with this new plan of PDOs citing security and financial reasons. The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), which comprises of all the big telecom companies like Reliance jio, Bharti Airtel, Idea Cellular and more has been vocal about this opposition. Director General of COAI, Rajan Matthews also wrote a letter to Telecom Secretary, Aruna Sundarajan in this regard in which he said “…the proposal to sell internet services without a licence, will be a complete bypass of the present licensing framework, detrimental to massive investments already made in spectrum, telecom infrastructure… Additionally, we believe it will seriously compromise national security” reports PTI.