All for fair competition, won’t encourage monopoly: Ravi Shankar Prasad

NEW DELHI: The government will not encourage any sectoral monopoly and ensure fair competition while taking steps to enhance ease of doing business, said telecom minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. He said operators should settle litigations mutually, and the sector should work to make India a hub for telecom equipment manufacturing.

Prasad was speaking after meeting top industry executives, who sought a rationalisation of levies, including reduction in the Universal Service Obligation (USO) fund, goods and service tax (GST) refund and lower prices of 5G spectrum. Vodafone Idea also sought a 35% cap on 5G airwave bands to ensure a “level playing field” for all mobile phone companies.