TRAI Releases Telecommunication Interconnection (Port Charges) (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2026

• Kanishka
• 10 Nov 2026
• 88 Views

On 9 November 2026, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India notified the Telecommunication Interconnection (Port Charges) (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2026. Under these amendments, a framework has been established for port charges for IP-based interconnection. 

The framework supplements the existing provisions that apply to ports for EI/TDM-based interconnection. The amended regulations are set to take effect from 1st January 2027. 

What is Interconnection in Telecom?

Interconnection in telecommunications refers to technical, operational and commercial arrangements that link two or more telecom networks. This connection allows telecommunications traffic to flow between them and enables users of different service providers to communicate in a seamless manner. 

Section 11(1)(b) of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act 1997 empowers TRAI to prescribe terms and conditions of interconnection between service providers and to ensure technical compatibility and effective interconnection among different service providers. 

Need for Review of Existing Regulatory Framework 

The Telecommunication Interconnection (Port Charges) Regulation, 2001, outlines the fees that an interconnection seeker must pay to an interconnection provider for terminating interconnection links at its point of interconnection. The extant regulations were based on legacy E1/TDM-based port technologies and fees specified were last updated in 2012.

To ensure that the existing regulatory framework for interconnection remains relevant, transparent and conducive to efficient interaction between service providers, TRAI initiated a review of this framework. This was done through a Pre-Consultation Paper titled "Review of the Existing TRAI Regulations on Interconnection Matters" dated 3 April 2025. The paper sought stakeholders comments, including feedback on reviewing Telecommunication Interconnection (Port Charges) Regulation, 2001.

Following this, a Consultation Paper on same subject was issued on 10 November 2025, which provided background information and addressed feedback received during pre-consultation phase. The Consultation Paper again sought stakeholders comments regarding review of Telecommunication Interconnection (Port Charges) Regulation, 2001. After an extension, the final dates for submitting written comments and counter-comments were 15 December 2025 and 29 December 2025, respectively. 

Stakeholder Consultation and TRAI's Decision 

To respond to the concerns raised in the Consultation Paper, a total of seventeen stakeholders had filed their comments while nine stakeholders filed counter-comments. The consultation process also included an Open House Discussion on the Consultation Paper, which was held on 28 January 2026. 

On the basis of comments received from stakeholders during the process and its own analysis, the telecom regulator decided to finalize the Telecommunication Interconnection (Port Charges) (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2026. 

Salient Points of Amendment Regulations

Below, the salient points of the amendment regulations are provided:

The amendment regulations released by the telecom regulator align the regulatory provisions with advancements in technology and developments within the telecom sector. They aim to strengthen interconnection framework and allow for smooth communication across telecom networks. The regulatory framework seeks to provide greater certainty for service providers while upholding the principles of effective interconnection, transparency, non-discrimination and fair competition 

For any clarification / additional information regarding the amendment rules, please contact Shri Sameer Gupta, Advisor (Networks, Spectrum & Licensing-I) at TRAI via email at adv-nsl@trai.gov.in or by telephone at +91-11-20907752. 

Source:- TRAI Press Release