Working Groups for Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-2012)

Telecom Sector

Dated 30th May 2006

In the context of preparation of Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-2012) it has been decided to constitute a Working Group on Telecom Sector to make recommendations on the various policy matters relevant to the formulation of the Eleventh Five Year Plan for Communication and Information Sector.

II. The Composition of the proposed Working Group will be as follows:

III. The Terms of Reference to the Working Group will be as follows:

1. To evolve a strategy on telecom sector for the 11 th Plan with the basic objective of development of world class infrastructure for supporting accelerated growth of IT and other sectors of the economy with special focus on technological changes in access parameters, convergence of services and markets, international scenario vis-a­vis WTO/IPR regimes and other relevant factors linked to growth like introduction of a comparative tariff structure etc;
2. To review existing schemes / programmes in this sector and suggest the type of schemes those need to be retained/included for the Eleventh Plan period.
3. To make recommendations for improving rural connectivity which should not only be affordable but also self-financing; and capable of supporting a multi-media system" of communications;
4. To make recommendations on further restructuring/reforms required in the post-convergence scenario including availability of spectrum, expansion of broad band and promotion and strengthening of R and D;
5. To suggest measures for promotion of private sector investments including Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the light of the experience gained so far;
6. To review the performance of telecom equipment manufacturing sector with identification of constraints and make recommendations for evolving an appropriate policy to ensure value addition during the indigenous manufacturing phase including quality control, product standardization, provision of maintenance and other services;
7. Set up a high powered group with all stake holders for efficient spectrum management and identify spectrum requirements for implementing new technologies and services such as DTV, DTT, 3G and the like. Also make recommendations for creation of Spectrum Management Fund for funding new initiatives in niche areas.
8. Any other issue of importance to policy formulation for the telecom sector including creation of a consolidated database.

IV. The Working Group may set up Sub Groups to go into specific issues/areas in the sector and or for detailed information gathering and analysis. The Chairman of the Working Group may co-opt any person whose knowledge or expertise is considered to be useful to the Working Groups or the Sub Group and may invite any such person to specific meetings.

V. The non-official members of the Group will be paid TA/DA by Planning Commission as per SR 190 (a) for attending meetings of the Committee.

VI. The Group shall be serviced by Dept. of Telecom. Member Services, Telecom Commission would be the coordinating Officer for the work relating to the Group and may be contacted:

Member (Services)
Telecom Commission
Sanchar Bhawan
Asoka Road, New Delhi-110001
TeL 011-23714644

VII. The Working Group shall submit its report by 31^st July, 2006.

Dated 5th June 2006

In continuation to this office memorandum of even no. dated 30 May, 2006, it has been decided that Member Convenor of the Working Group on the Telecom Sector for the Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-2012) will be Shri M Sahu, Joint Secretary (T) in place of Member (Services), Telecom Sector.

His contact details arc as follows:-

Shri M Sahu, Jt. Secretary (T), Sanchar Bhawan, Ashoka Road New Delhi
Tel : 23717411

Member (Services). Telecom Commission will continue to remain as Member of the Working Group.

Annexure - III
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS OF SUB-GROUPS

I. Sub- Group on Network Expansion

The Sub - Group on Network Expansion had following Members:

II. Sub- Group on Broadband

The Sub-Group on Broadband was composed of the following members:-

III. Sub-Group on Telecom Equipment Manufacturing

Th e Sub-Group on Telecom Equipment Manufacturing had following members:-

IV. Sub-Group on Technology and Research and Development

The Sub-Group on Technology and Research and Development consists of the following members:-

V. Sub-Group on Taxation/Levies in Telecom Sector

The Sub-Group on Taxation/Levies in Telecom Sector had the following members: