Dear Thiru Raja,

I am writing with some concern about a press article in todays Times of India, copy attached.

The article quotes one of the large incumbent GSM Cellular operator and prophesizes that all the new operators will ‘collapse’ within 3 years.

This is clearly a serious situation if true. The entire objective of the Telecom Policy of the Government is geared at delivering consumer benefit through increased competition. That competition is the only way to sustainably ensure consumer benefit is also widely accepted by MPs, Civil Society and Media and of course the Government.

In the face of this objective of the Policy – a scenario where the market power of incumbent operators can be used to destroy competition is very very disturbing. The claim made by the operator is in addition reckless and dangerous and unacceptable as a consequence of any Government Policy.

I would, therefore, urge you to examine this issue of competitiveness of new operators and ensure that there is more than a fair opportunity for new operators to grow and be viable. This is the only way that consumers today and in the future can avail of the benefits of competition and be beneficiaries of the Government Policies.

Thanking you,
Very truly yours,
Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Thiru. A Raja
Hon’ble Minister for Communications & Information Technology
Government of India
New Delhi

Copy to:
Shri Nripendra Misra
Chairman
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
New Delhi