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DoT reviewing its role in the new era of convergence

G. Rambabu

NEW DELHI, Sept. 26

THE Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has embarked on an in-depth introspection exercise to brace itself up for its changed role in the new era of convergence.

According to official sources, even as the proposed Communication Convergence Bill, 2001 has been referred to the Standing Parliamentary Committee on Information Technology, the department has already set in motion its gameplan for the future.

``In fact, one of the first fast-track decisions of the new Minister for Communications, Mr Pramod Mahajan, has been to set up an internal committee to prepare DoT for the future. The Minister wants the department to be ready with its agenda for the futu re, as and when the proposed Bill becomes an Act,'' they said.

The internal committee, which has been constituted under the chairmanship of Mr R. Ramanathan, Member (Finance), Telecom Commission, also includes Additional Secretary (Technology), Joint Secretary (Technology), Advisor (Operations), Advisor (Technology) , Advisor (HRD) and DDG (Licensing Regulations).

The committee is expected to undertake a thorough review of the role and functions of the department in the new environment. In fact, as per the current proposals of the Bill, there will be a single Ministry of Convergence which will be entrusted with th e roles and functions being currently looked after by three Ministries -- Communications, IT and Information & Broadcasting.

The sources noted that the committee will, therefore, have to study how DoT can fit into the scheme of things. It has been given two weeks to finalise its report and present its recommendations to the Minister.

The existing licensing and registration powers and the regulatory mechanisms for the telecom, information technology and broadcasting sectors are currently spread over different authorities. The Bill intends to bring in ``a flexible type of legislation t o accommodate and encourage permutation and combination of technologies and services.''

The internal committee will also be analysing the impact of disbanding the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Telecom Dispute Settlement Appellate Tribunal. As per the Bill, it is proposed to set up the Communications Commission of Indi a (CCI) which would be vested with wide-ranging functions including the licensing and registration powers and the regulatory mechanisms for the telecom, information technology and broadcasting sectors.

Also crucial is the proposed repeal of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, The Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act 1933, the Telegraph Wires (Unlawful Possession) Act 1950, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997 and the Cable Television Networks (Reg ulation) Act, 1995. Most of these Bills at present come under DoT's purview.

The sources noted that under the new scenario, the large number of categories of licence will be replaced with just five broad categories to enable service providers to offer a range of services within each category. The committee will be analysing how t his will have an impact on its own roles and function.