Spectra asks TRAI to make International Termination Charge equal to Domestic Termination Charge

Shyam Spectra Private Limited (SSPL) in response to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) consultation paper on review of Interconnection Usage Charges dated 8th November 2019 has submitted that the International Termination Charge (ITC) should be equal to the Domestic Termination Charge.

On TRAIs question as to whether there was a need for the change in the regulatory regime for International Termination Charge (ITC) given the changes happening in the international telephony market structure, Shyam Spectra Private Limited said,

“The work done for terminating the calls by the Access Service Provider is the same for domestic & international calls. In view of the same International, Terminating Charge is to be brought equal to domestic termination charge.”

The telecom service provider further suggested that the same may be considered to be done in two stages.

Stage 1: Reduction of ITC to 15 paise/minute

Stage 2: Make it equal to Domestic Termination Charge

Spectra also said that the way there is a carriage charge for NLD, there should also be a carriage charge for ILDOs as well. The TSP said that it would also help to discourage OTT calling, thereby arresting security concerns which will ultimately encourage competition among the operators.

MTNL meanwhile has said that the current termination charges for ILD are suitable while the COAI has called for a higher ILD termination charge.