A number of services will be made mandatory under the technology neutral licence and could be issued by mid 2004. rn
rnInterested firms could have to bid only for license through a single round simple open auction process. rn
rnThe two licences could cover the North-East and the deep South regions selected on the parameters including actual coverage and future network coverage and subscribership. rn
rnSubsidies will only be given to the uneconomical components of any project subjected to a maximum limit.rn
rnPolicy makers are now calling for comments for a draft framework that outlines the licensing of the regional telecom network projects. rn
rnCanadian based consultancy group, McCarthy Tetrault LLP made the recommendation on licensing regional operators to the newly formed ICT Agency (ICTA).rn
rnThe recommendations is expected to set the base and initiate the regional telecom network licensing process.rn
rnThe World Bank will come in with the bulk of the funding requirement to be channelle