The report extension requested by Indian operators, which we highlighted last week, has now been granted.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has granted a six-week extension to telecommunications operators to file their monthly and quarterly reports.
Operators were requesting that the reports, part of the operators’ regulatory compliance requirements, be delayed, given the national lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
India ordered a 21-day national lockdown starting March 25, following which telecommunications companies asked most of their staff to work from home.
Not surprisingly, this has made things difficult for operators. Rajan S Mathews, director-general of the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), was quoted as saying in a letter to TRAI: “Regular day-to-day operations of telecom service operators have been impacted, with minimal staff manning the requirements.”
Telecommunications companies are required to submit multiple datasheets and reports to TRAI as part of their regulatory compliance duties. These include reporting of their tariff packs as well as of inactive or suspended subscribers.
Clearly the human resources requirement of operators, which are trying to deal with the operational issues arising from the outbreak, will be strained if they are also trying to fulfil regulatory compliance duties. In addition operators are also trying to keep up with a surge in consumption, for which it is hoped more spectrum will become available.
