Section 16 in Telecommunication Interconnection Regulations, 2018
16. Further, in the Unified License (UL), which is the most recent license, the licensor i.e. Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has put interconnection between TSPs under TRAI's regulatory framework of interconnection. The relevant clauses of the License are reproduced below:
"27.3 Interconnection between the networks of different Licensees for carrying circuit switched traffic shall be as per national standards of CCS No.7 as amended from time to time by Telecom Engineering Centre (TEC) and also subject to technical feasibility and technical integrity of the Networks and shall be within the overall framework of interconnection regulations/directions/orders issued by the TRAI/Licensor from time to time. For internetworking between circuit switched and IP based network, the Licensee shall install Media Gateway Switch. Further, the Licensor may direct the LICENSEE to adopt any other technical standards issued by TEC on interconnection related issues.27.4Licensee shall interconnect with other Telecom Service Providers at the points of Interconnection (POI) subject to compliance of prevailing regulations, directions or determinations issued by TRAI. The charges for accessing other networks for internetwork calls shall conform to the Orders/Regulations/Guidelines issued by the TRAI/Licensor from time to time. The Interconnection Agreements will, inter-alia, provide the following: (a) To meet all reasonable demand for the transmission and reception of messages between the interconnected systems. (b) To establish and maintain such one or more points of Interconnect as are reasonably required and are of sufficient capacity and in sufficient number to enable transmission and reception of the messages by means of the Applicable Systems, (c) To connect, and keep connected, to their Applicable Systems.27.5The charges for accessing other networks for inter-network calls shall be based on mutual agreements between the service providers conforming to the Orders/IUC Regulations/Guidelines issued by the TRAI from time to time.27.6The provision of any equipment and its installation for the purpose of Interconnection shall be subject to mutual agreement of the concerned parties and shall conform to TRAI's regulations and orders.27.7The Interconnection Tests for each and every interface with any Telecom Service Provider shall be carried out by mutual arrangement between the Licensee and the other party involved. In case of disagreement for rectification of deficiencies/deviations in conducted interconnection tests, reference could be made to Licensor/TRAI."
