Or "We'd like you to be a part of the value chain, but..." A couple of weeks ago, I attended the TRAI open house discussion on the issue of regulation of Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs). Strangely enough, there were no MVNOs present at the discussion, and it appears to me that this policy might just be formed without inputs from potential MVNOs. Perhaps the best thing to do would be to have a basic set of requirements for MVNOs, and no licensing or regulation to first enable MVNOs to enter the market, and then involving them in a discussion over policy review. The following is an overview of the comments made by telcos at the Open House Discsussion, and the comments submitted by them to the TRAI: We decide who gets the license Invariably, most mobile operators want that potential Mobile Virtual Network Operators first get a Letter Of Intent from Telcos (MNOs) for a specific service area, before actually seeking a license from the Department of Telecom. This sentiment is echoed by the GSM body - COAI (GSM body), Spice, Reliance Communications, while AUSPI isn't clear on the licensing issue, saying that there is no need for regulation for MVNOs, since it is on commercial terms. But the overall push appears for be a situation wherein the MVNOs are forced to get an LOI from one telco, instead of first getting a license and then talking to multiple operators. Verizon, however, appears to be of the opinion that…
