NEW DELHI, May 13: The department of telecommunications (DoT) is unlikely to follow the process of bidding to allow private participation in the area of Internet Service Providers (ISPs). Instead, as in the case of E-Mail service providers, it is likely that private participants will be allowed entry on the basis of paying annual charges to the DoT. The department is working in close association with the department of electronics (DoE) to formulate the policy for entry of these private ISPs. The matter is likely to be referred to the full telecom commission shortly.

According to the national expansion plan for Internet (NEPI) prepared by the DoT, international connectivity of ISPs to Internet could be provided in two ways: the first option being ISPs connect their national network to international internet access gateways (GIAS) of the Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd (VSNL) for accessing international Internet cloud and pay VSNL for physical connectivity as well as Internet access.

Under the second option, there could be a case for direct Internet connectivity from some international internet access providers like MCI, Sprint etc. The Plan specifies that in such a case physical connectivity will have to be built by these international service providers on international leased lines taken from VSNL and the ISP will have to pay separately to the international access provider for the connectivity part.

The NEPI specifies that if the first option is exercised, VSNL may have to shed its role as an ISP which it is currently providing at seven stations in the country (Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai, Pune, Bangalore and Ahmedabad). This is required to ensure that the connectivity provider is not a direct competitor in order to ensure that all ISPs receive equal treatment. If this occurs VSNL should hand over its existing Internet customer base to the DoT.

On the domestic front, the NEPI states that the DoT should strengthen its role as an ISP. It has also recommended that the DoT set up Internet service points of presence (PoPs) all over the country and play a major role in setting up of a strong national Internet backbone. The NEPI states that, to begin, the DoT should cover all the stations that have been provided with the INET-II node. This could be extended to other stations based on demand .The NEPI also states that DoT's tariff for Internet services in both its role as an ISP and as National Internet Access Provider should be promotional .

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.