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TRAI releases amended telecom interconnection rules effective January 2027

The new rules move interconnection to licensed service areas and IP-based networks, affecting how telecom operators connect and route traffic across India.

Photo: theweek

What happened

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India released the Telecommunication Interconnection (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2026 on Tuesday, November 3. IANS News+1 The regulations take effect on January 1, 2027. IANS News+2 The amendment allows operators to shift from the existing Long Distance Charging Area and Short Distance Charging Area levels to the Licensed Service Area level for interconnection. IANS News+1 Operators are required to shift to IP-based interconnection for new connections, and are given three years to migrate existing legacy systems. Moneycontrol

Around it

Interconnection refers to the technical, operational and commercial arrangements that let different telecom networks exchange traffic so subscribers of different providers can communicate. IANS News+1 The regulator says the shift is intended to simplify routing, support more efficient management of scarce numbering resources, and bring lower latency and enhanced service reliability. IANS News The regulator also introduced new consumer complaint redressal norms, which require telecom and internet providers with over 10,000 subscribers to offer 24-hour complaint centres and mobile app filing options. theweek

What comes next

Operators must complete migration of existing legacy systems to IP-based interconnection within three years. Moneycontrol

Sources

  1. theweekTRAI introduces new complaint redressal norms, telecom interconnection regulations: What changes for your network
  2. IANS NewsTRAI releases new telecom interconnection rules, to kick in from Jan 1
  3. MoneycontrolTRAI overhauls telecom interconnection rules, mandates shift to IP-based networks- Moneycontrol.com
  4. The TribuneTRAI releases revised telecom interconnection regulations, implementation from January 2027

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