India’s telecom sector regulator, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has said that it will launch public consultations on the matter relating to proposed free telecom roaming in the country. TRAI is expected to follow the process through a consultation paper involving various players.

TRAI Chairman Rahul Khullar said that the authority is competent ti take a decision on the matter. “Very soon, you will see us take the first move in that direction. There will be a public consultation preceding any final decision in the matter,” he said. He was speaking on the sidelines of ‘Telecom India 2012’ conclave, an event organized by the industry body, FICCI.

The removal of roaming charges was earlier proposed as part of the National Telecom Policy 2012 of the government for governing the telecom sector in the country. The NTP 2012, which was approved by the government in May, allows mobile phone users to use the same number across the country without paying extra charges, besides doing away with any roaming charges.

Meanwhile, Telecom Secretary R Chandrashekhar said the Department of Telecom (DoT) will work on licence (UL) guidelines, which are also part of the NTP 2012.