No policy on number portability yet: Govt

New Delhi, Aug 10: The government today said no policy decision on number inter-portability has been taken yet, a move that would enable customers to switch operators while retaining their existing phone numbers.

At present there are technical limitations such as non-availability of dual technology handsets, clearing house mechanism etc, Minister of State for Communications and IT Shakeel Ahmad said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

The Minister said there is a demand for cellular phone subscribers to have the facility to migrate from one company to another.

The Minister also said that the US CDMA maker Qualcomm said that the current approach of spectrum assignment focuses on voice services while limiting forward-looking operator's ability to facilitate social benefits via broadband wireless data and information services.

According to Qualcomm, this policy limits the present value of 3G capabilities in the Indian market and prevents service providers from offering broadband data services in rural markets despite availability of spectrum in these areas.

This would lead to a digital divide, over the long term, in India by keeping the consumers on limited, voice-only 2G services while China, Europe and the rest of world move aggressively to advanced networks and a rich mix of compelling voice and data base on 3G CDMA.

On waiting list in Bihar, the Minister said it has decreased over three years. From 112465 in 2004 the number has gone down to 77500 in 2006, the Minister said.

BSNL has relaxed the norms for laying outdoor cables from 2.5 kms to 5.0 kms from the nearest telephone exchange for provision of telephone connections where such demand exist.

On the Universal Service Obligation (USO) levy, which is collected at the rate of five per cent of Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) of all telecom service providers except the pure value added service providers like internet, voice mail, E-mail, service provider etc., The Minister said this levy is deposited in the Consolidated Fund of India which is funded through budgetary allocation with approval of Parliament.

UNI