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VISION

A healthy ecosystem that facilitates the growth of a thriving VNO industry in India, and stimulates innovation.

MISSION

  • Represent the collective interests of VNOs that inspire suitable/effective action from regulators, Telecom network operators and all stakeholders in the Indian ecosystem.
  • Serve customers to ensure they enjoy world class, unique and affordable Telecommunications solutions.
  • Institute a network of key influencers and stakeholders in then Indian
    VNO Industry.

VNOAI Membership

Join the Future: Empowering VNOs, Connecting India

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Urgent Action Needed: BSNL’s Reckless e-SIM Disconnection of VNOs Endangers Lives and National Security

Urgent Action Needed: BSNL’s Reckless e-SIM Disconnection of VNOs Endangers Lives and National Security

On January 14, 2025, BSNL disconnected 300,000 mission-critical e-SIMs, leaving ambulances and mining fleets in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh without vital communication services. This unilateral action violates TRAI guidelines and DoT licensing requirements, endangering public safety, national security, and countless lives. The disconnection of these e-SIMs, mandated under the AIS-140 standard for vehicle tracking and safety, has created an urgent crisis.
The Crisis: Lives at Stake
e-SIMs disconnected by BSNL were deployed in ambulances and mining fleets, which rely on uninterrupted communication for real-time tracking, navigation, and emergency response. By cutting off these lifelines, BSNL has directly jeopardized public safety and violated its responsibility as a state-owned entity.
Regulatory Violations and Systemic Issues
BSNL’s actions violate TRAI and DoT guidelines, which require migration of subscribers to ensure continuity of services. This failure highlights the monopolistic tendencies of dominant Network Service Operators (NSOs) and undermines the vision of the National Telecom Policy (NTP) 2012 for a competitive and inclusive telecom ecosystem.
Broader Challenges Facing VNOs
The crisis reflects the larger struggles of the VNO sector in India, which faces regulatory, operational, and commercial hurdles.
Key issues include:
• Lack of Network Interconnection: VNOs rely on NSOs like BSNL for access, but timely interconnection is often lacking.
• Regulatory and Monopolistic Challenges: The current framework favors dominant NSOs, stifling competition and limiting consumer choice.
• Impact on Rural Connectivity: VNOs struggle to extend services to rural areas, hampering digital inclusion efforts.
Immediate Actions Required
To address the systemic issues and prevent future crises, the following steps are critical:
1. Mandate Guaranteed Network Interconnection: Ensure timely access for VNOs.
2. Fair Commercial Agreements: Enforce transparency and fairness.
3. Incentives for Rural Connectivity: Provide subsidies and reduced licensing fees.
4. Strengthen Regulatory Oversight: TRAI must monitor compliance and resolve disputes.
5. Promote Collaboration: NSOs should partner with VNOs for mutual benefit.
6. Hold BSNL Accountable: Investigate and take action against BSNL’s reckless actions.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
The VNO sector in India is at a critical juncture. The reckless actions of BSNL highlight the urgent need for regulatory and policy reforms. Immediate action is required to ensure a competitive, inclusive, and digitally connected India. Lives are at stake, and the future of India’s digital economy depends on our response. Will we rise to the occasion or let this crisis define our failure?

Ensuring Fair Access for VNOs: A Call for Equitable Telecom Practices

Unified License–VNO holders are facing significant roadblocks that threaten their operations and compliance efforts. Despite holding valid licenses, access to crucial resources like the Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) platform and the 1600 series for transactional communications is being unjustly denied by Telecom Service Providers (TSPs).

Such actions violate the principles set out in the TCCCPR 2018 and the Unified License framework, which are designed to guarantee fair and non-discriminatory resource allocation. Without access to these essential tools, critical functions such as delivering OTPs, banking alerts, and service notifications are being obstructed, directly impacting our ability to serve businesses and consumers.

We remain proactive in tackling these challenges by engaging in regular consultations with the authorities. VNOAI delegations are consistently meeting with representatives to address these pressing issues and ensure swift resolutions.

What we are calling for:
1️⃣ Immediate onboarding of VNOs onto the DLT platform and fair allocation of the 1600 numbering series.
2️⃣ Enforcement of TCCCPR 2018 and Unified License provisions to promote equitable practices.
3️⃣ Action against anti-competitive behavior that stifles VNO growth and contributions.

VNOs are pivotal to advancing competition and driving growth in the telecom ecosystem. By ensuring fair access to regulatory platforms and resources, we can unlock greater opportunities and foster a more inclusive industry.

#Telecom #VNO #Regulations #DLT #UnifiedLicense #FairCompetition

📢 VNOAI Statement on the New Draft Telecommunications Authorization Rules, 2025 📢

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has released the Draft Telecommunications (Authorisation for Provision of Main Telecommunication Services) Rules, 2025 under the Indian Telecommunications Act, 2023.
A key change proposed in the draft is a significant revision of entry fees, which marks a clear increase compared to the Unified License regime (2013/2018).

This upward revision is likely to impact the ease of entry for new players, especially Virtual Network Operators (VNOs) and ISPs in smaller service areas.

🔍 Key Financial Changes:
Revised entry fees across all license categories.
All fees are now non-refundable upon application.
New eligibility criteria on net worth and paid-up capital.
Greater clarity on license categories: Unified, Access, Internet, and Long Distance.

📬 Comments Invited:
DoT has invited comments from all stakeholders, including industry associations and public participants.
Submissions are to be made within 30 days from the date of notification (September 5, 2025) to:
👉 Joint Secretary (Telecom)
Department of Telecommunications
Sanchar Bhawan, 20 Ashoka Road, New Delhi – 110001

As India prepares to implement the new telecom licensing framework, VNOAI will be submitting its detailed inputs, representing the collective interests of VNOs and digital service providers.

📈 We urge all stakeholders to carefully assess the financial implications and participate in the consultation.

 

file:///C:/Users/rakesh.mehta/Downloads/Gazette%20Notification%20of%20Draft%20Telecommunications%20(Authorisation%20for%20Provision%20of%20Main%20Telecommunication%20S_0%20(1)_removed.pdf