TRAI Recommendations on Licensing Framework and Regulatory Mechanism for Submarine Cable Landing in India

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued the recommendations on ‘Licensing Framework and Regulatory Mechanism for Submarine Cable Landing in India. The following recommendations are made:

1. Recommendations for two categories of Cable Landing Station (CLS) locations – (a) Main CLS and (b) CLS Point of Presence (CLS-PoPs). The Owner of the Main CLS would seek all the permissions/clearances related to the SMC landing in their CLS in India while the owners of CLS-PoPs will not be required to seek such permissions/clearances.  However, owner of CLS-PoPs will be required to fulfil all security and regulatory/license obligation including establishment of LIM facility. They will also be required to inform Licensor/TRAI about all CLS-PoP locations and their owners.
2.  Internet Service Provider (ISP) Category ‘A’ (with International Internet Gateway) licensees will be allowed to get access and extend their owned or leased dark fiber pair(s) in the submarine cable from the main CLS to their respective CLS-PoP location. However, owners of CLS-PoPs will be required to fulfil all other security and regulatory/license obligation including reporting requirements and establishment of LIM facility. 
3. The revised detailed guidelines and applications for setting up main CLS and CLS-PoPs for submarine cable landing in India under respective authorization, be issued.