Telecom panel clears entry of virtual network operators

Inter-ministerial panel Telecom Commission on Monday approved long-pending proposal on virtual network operators, which will offer voice and data services under their own brands without owning network or spectrum.

“The commission has approved a Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai)’s recommendation on Virtual Network Operator after including clarification it provided. It will need the telecom minister’s approval. A new licence ULVNO (unified licence virtual network operators) will be issued for this. It should be implemented within few weeks,” an official source said.

“VNO will be able to offer all telecom services provided by a telecom operator with which it has partnered. It can sell services of more than one operator,” the source said. A VNO leases bandwidth from various telecom operators to provide voice and data services to customers.

VNOs would offer all telecom services permitted under unified licences – permits that were issued in 2013.