TelecomLive April 2024

Trai CP on multiple connectivity to Access Service VNOs TelecomLIVE April 2024 53 On the issue of same VNO for both the wireless and wireline, Jio said that due to these shared ele- ments and more and more conver- gence, parenting with different NSOs, one for wireline and another for wireless, will create complexity at keeping the services completely separated and it would also lead to difficulties in revenue accounting. Whereas, Vodafone said that if VNOs are allowed to have multiple NSOs as parent, it would cause a significant arbitrage in favour of VNOs v/s TSPs. While TSPs would be competing in the market basis their respective infrastructure, whereas a VNO is privileged to cherry-pick and club infrastructure from multiple NSOs to provide enhanced services to end enter- prise customers. This will cause irreparable and irretrievable loss to competitive structure in market andwould be counter-productive. Airtel further said that allowing the same VNO to parent with differ- ent NSOs - one for wireless service and another for wireline service - will cause confusion over number- ing resources. Indian TSPs con- tinue to face pressure on number- ing resources despite constant tightening of its allocation criteria. Tata communication said that access services has two distinct parts being wireline access services and wireless access services and therefore UL-VNO (AS) licensee should be permitted to have wire- line access services and wireless access services from different NSOs in the same LSA as it would not impinge upon the principle of putting such restriction. It further said there should not be any restrictions for UL-VNO (AS) licensee for parenting with single NSOs for seeking connectiv- ity in a licensed service area for providing wireline access services & wireline access services, similar to other service authorisations in UL-VNO wherein no such restric- tions are imposed and the same has been left to themarket forces. Accordingly, UL-VNO (AS) should be allowed to get parented elecom operators have T opposed the idea of mul- tiple Virtual Network Pr ov i de r (VNOs ) i n response to Trai's consultation paper on “Connectivity to Access Service VNOs fromMore Than one NSO”. Jio said that there is no need to change the existing provisions and the VNO licensees should continue to be permitted to parent only with one NSO for access services and all other services which require unique identity in terms of num- bering, lawful interception, spec- trumusages etc. Echoing similar view, Airtel said, “We are unable to ascertain what policy aim(s) be achieved if a VNO (Access Authorisation) is permit- ted multi-parenting with NSOs for wireline access service. Be it tele density or penetration of services or connectivity to enterprise ser- vices – all these are well covered across India in a technology neutral manner i.e. whether through wire- less or wireline.” Trai CP on multiple connectivity to Access Service VNOs Three private telcos oppose the move. VNO association points out commercial hurdles created by NSOs even under single connectivity rules