TRAI releases recommendations on regulatory mechanism for submarine cable landing in India

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued the recommendations on ‘Licensing Framework and Regulatory Mechanism for Submarine Cable Landing in India’. These come after the TRAI received a reference letter from Department of Telecom (DoT) The DoT raised concern about Indian ILDOs (international long-distance operators) who do not have any stake in the consortium owning submarine cable, but they are seeking Home and Defence Ministry clearance on behalf of the cable consortiums for laying/maintaining such cables and applying for setting up of CLS for such submarine cables. Submarine cables connect India and other countries with global internet services and their demand has been booming year-over-year.