**Executive Summary**
The document is a response to questions raised in Lok Sabha regarding TRAI's proposal on All-IP interconnection between telecom networks. It addresses concerns about call quality, technology upgrades, financial burdens on users, accountability of telecom firms, safeguarding smaller operators, and transparency in the consultation process. A consultation paper on the review of existing TRAI regulations on interconnection matters has been released on 10.11.2025 and TRAI will take suitable decisions based on the outcome of the consultation process.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **TRAI's Review:**
* TRAI is undertaking a comprehensive review of existing interconnection regulations.
* The review aims to ensure the regulatory framework considers technological evolution and changes in the telecom sector.
* **Telecom Service Providers (TSPs):**
* TSPs are operating on advanced systems and upgrading them periodically.
* Most TSPs met Quality of Service (QoS) benchmarks in Oct-25, except Vodafone Idea Limited in the North East License Service Area.
* Financial disincentives are imposed on service providers not meeting QoS benchmarks set by TRAI.
* **Consultation Process:**
* A consultation paper on "Review of existing TRAI Regulations on Interconnection matters" was released by TRAI on 10.11.2025.
* Stakeholders are invited to comment on issues raised in the paper.
* TRAI will base decisions on matters related to interconnection regulations on the outcome of the ongoing consultation process.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholders: Telecom Service Providers (TSPs)**
* **Impact:** Must operate advanced systems, upgrade them regularly, and meet QoS benchmarks to avoid financial disincentives.
* **Action Required:** Review and adhere to revised interconnection regulations, participate in consultation process, and strive to meet QoS standards.
**Stakeholders: Consumers**
* **Impact:** Potentially benefit from improved call quality and reliability due to All-IP interconnection and technology upgrades.
* **Action Required:** No immediate action, but can provide feedback during the TRAI consultation process.
**Stakeholders: Smaller Telecom Operators (e.g., BSNL, MTNL)**
* **Impact:** TRAI aims to safeguard their fair interconnect access and prevent monopolistic dominance by larger players.
* **Action Required:** Monitor regulatory changes and participate in consultations to ensure their interests are represented.
**Stakeholders: TRAI**
* **Impact:** Accountable for ensuring fair, transparent, and effective regulations for interconnection of networks.
* **Action Required:** Conduct comprehensive review, analyze feedback, and implement revised regulations.
Key Entities Referenced
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI): Undertaking a comprehensive review of existing interconnection regulations and setting QoS benchmarks.
All-IP Interconnection: Proposed mandating digital 'all-IP' interconnection between telecom networks to improve call quality and reliability.
Consultation paper on "Review of existing TRAI Regulations on Interconnection matters": Paper released by TRAI on 10.11.2025, addressing interconnection regulations.
Telecom Service Providers (TSP): Entities operating on advanced systems and upgrading their system time to time.
Ministry of Communications: Government ministry responsible for communications and answering parliamentary questions.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 677
ANSWERED ON 3RD DECEMBER, 2025
TRAI PROPOSAL ON ALL-IP INTERCONNECTION BETWEEN TELECOM NETWORKS
677. SHRI VIJAYAKUMAR ALIAS VIJAY VASANTH:
SHRI SURESH KUMAR SHETKAR:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that TRAI has proposed mandating digital “all-IP” interconnection
between telecom networks to improve call quality and reliability and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government is aware that despite claims of 4G and 5G expansion, major private
operators still use outdated analogue systems, causing poor voice quality for consumers and if so, the reasons
for delays in upgradation ;
(c) whether the Government will ensure that telecom companies upgrade their interconnection AI
Network infrastructure to IP-based system without shifting the financial burden onto users through tariff hikes;
(d) whether the Government will hold private telecom firms accountable for persistent call drops and
poor quality of service under TRAI norms;
(e) whether the Government will safeguard public and smaller operators like BSNL and MTNL to ensure
fair interconnect access and prevent monopolistic dominance by large private players;
(f) whether the Government has studied the economic implications of mandatory IP transition on smaller
regional telecom operators and rural connectivity; and
(g) whether the Government will make TRAI’s consultation process fully transparent and include
consumer rights groups and opposition-led State representatives before finalising regulations?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a): Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is undertaking a comprehensive review of existing
interconnection regulations to ensure that the regulatory framework takes into account evolution of technology
and changes in the telecommunications sector.
(b) to (d): Telecom Service Providers (TSP) are operating on the advanced systems and upgrade their
system time to time.
As per TRAI Performance Monitoring Report, all TSPs are meeting Quality of Service (QoS)
benchmarks in the month of Oct-25 except M/s Vodafone Idea Limited in North East License Service Area.
Wherever the QoS benchmarks set by TRAI are not met by service providers, financial disincentive are
imposed for non-complied parameters as per regulation.
(e) to (g): Consultation paper on "Review of existing TRAI Regulations on Interconnection matters"
has been released by TRAI on 10.11.2025.
Comments on the issues raised in the consultation paper are invited from the stakeholders. Based on
the outcome of the ongoing consultation process with the stakeholders, suitable decisions on the matters
related to Interconnection regulations will be taken by TRAI.
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