The government is likely to issue guidelines for operators to set up “virtual” telecom networks that can offer voice and data connections at upto 50% less for domestic calls and 20-30% less for international ones.
Globally, these are known as “mobile virtual network operators” (MVNOs). Such operators buy network capacity from telecom operators and resell airtime/talk time to retail consumers with the freedom to package their own tariffs. But they must comply with security and other licence-related obligations.
“It is a loyalty-based niche market,” said Gaurav Dhawan, executive director, Clay Telecom, which offers services as an MVNO in more than 14 countries.
The youth-focused mobile services offered by Richard Branson’s Virgin Telecom in its 2008 tie-up with Tata Teleservices (TTSL) is the closest thing to an MVNO in India. “It was not a MVNO but closest to that description,” said Nirpendra Misra, former chairman of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.
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