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Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) | Decision Making, Functions, and Key Powers

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)- Relevance for UPSC Exam

GS Paper 2: Indian Constitution- Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.

Recently, Union Minister for Communications, Electronics & Information Technology inaugurated a seminar to commemorate the 25 years-long journey of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Act.

About: TRAI was established with effect from February 20, 1997, by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Act 1997.
- Setting Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) was necessary after opening up of the telecommunication sector to private operators.
TRAI Headquarters: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)’s headquarter is located at New Delhi.
Legal Status: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is a statutory authority set up under the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Act 1997.
Mandate: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)’s mandate is to regulate telecom services, including fixation/revision of tariffs for telecom services.
- These responsibilities were earlier vested in the Central Government.

Presiding Authority: The Chairperson of TRAI is responsible for organizing and presiding over the TRAI meetings. In his/her absence, the vice-chairperson of TRAI presides over the meetings.
Decision Making: In TRAI meetings, decisions are made on various agendas by the majority vote of the members present.
- Casting Vote: In case of equality of votes, the presiding authority has the casting vote.

Recommendatory Functions: TRAI’s recommendations are non-binding in nature.
- Introduction of New Service Provider: TRAI recommends the need for and timing of introduction of new service providers and terms and conditions of the license to a service provider;
- Revocation of License: TRAI may recommend revocation of license for non-compliance of terms and conditions of license.
- Promote Competition and Efficiency: TRAI also recommends measures to facilitate competition and promote efficiency in the operation of telecommunication services to facilitate their growth.
Non-acceptance of TRAI’s Recommendations:
- Centre sends back the recommendation for reconsideration, if it needs modification or does not accept a recommendation of TRAI.
- TRAI again forwards its recommendation to the centre after due reconsideration within 15 days.
Other Key Functions: TRAI is responsible for Ensuring-
- Compliance: of terms and conditions of license.
- Technical compatibility and effective interconnection: between different service providers.
- Quality of Service: by laying down the standards of quality of service to be provided by the service providers.
- Timely and officially notifying the rates at which the telecommunication services within India and outside India shall be provided under the TRAI Act, 1997.

Power to seek Information: TRAI is authorized to ask any service provider to furnish in writing the information or explanation relating to its affairs as it may require.
Inquiry Powers: The TRAI have powers to appoint one or more persons to make an inquiry in relation to the affairs of any service provider.
Inspection Powers: TRAI has the authority to direct any of its officers or employees to inspect the books of accounts or other documents of any service provider.
Ensuring Proper Functioning: TRAI is also entrusted with the power to issue such directions to service providers as it may consider necessary for proper functioning by service providers.

shivam