Lok Sabha Question No. 677 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: TRAI Proposal on All-IP Interconnection between Telecom Networks
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Shri Suresh Kumar Shetkar, Shri Vijayakumar Alias Vijay Vasanth

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 677 ANSWERED ON 3 RD  DECEMBER, 2025

## TRAI PROPOSAL ON ALL-IP INTERCONNECTION BETWEEN TELECOM NETWORKS

## 677. SHRI VIJAYAKUMAR ALIAS VIJAY VASANTH: SHRI SURESH KUMAR SHETKAR:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that TRAI has proposed mandating digital 'all-IP' interconnection between telecom networks to improve call quality and reliability and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  despite  claims  of  4G  and  5G  expansion,  major  private operators still use outdated analogue systems, causing poor voice quality for consumers and if so, the reasons for delays in upgradation ;
- (c) whether  the  Government  will  ensure  that  telecom  companies  upgrade  their  interconnection  AI Network infrastructure to IP-based system without shifting the financial burden onto users through tariff hikes;
- (d) whether the Government will hold private telecom firms accountable for persistent call drops and poor quality of service under TRAI norms;
- (e) whether the Government  will safeguard public and smaller operators like BSNL and MTNL to ensure fair interconnect access and prevent monopolistic dominance by large private players;
- (f) whether the Government has studied the economic implications of mandatory IP transition on smaller regional telecom operators and rural connectivity; and
- (g) whether  the  Government  will  make  TRAI's  consultation  process  fully  transparent  and  include consumer rights groups and opposition-led State representatives before finalising regulations?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)

(a): Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is undertaking a comprehensive review of existing interconnection regulations to ensure that the regulatory framework takes into account evolution of technology and changes in the telecommunications sector.

(b) to (d): Telecom Service Providers (TSP) are operating on the advanced systems and upgrade their system time to time.

As  per  TRAI  Performance  Monitoring  Report,  all  TSPs  are  meeting  Quality  of  Service  (QoS) benchmarks in the month of Oct-25 except M/s Vodafone Idea Limited in North East License Service Area. Wherever the QoS benchmarks set by TRAI are not met by service providers, financial disincentive are imposed for non-complied parameters as per regulation.

(e) to (g): Consultation paper on "Review of existing TRAI Regulations on Interconnection matters" has been released by TRAI on 10.11.2025.

Comments on the issues raised in the consultation paper are invited from the stakeholders. Based on the  outcome  of  the  ongoing  consultation  process  with  the  stakeholders,  suitable  decisions  on  the  matters related to Interconnection regulations will be taken by TRAI.

*****