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    DoT suspends radiation, subscriber audit; telcos seek suspension till lockdown ends

    Synopsis

    In a letter dated March 23, the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) had said, “Due to unforeseen situation in wake of COVID-19, it has been decided that the audit process conducted by LSA field units in respect of EMR (electromagnetic radiation) and CAF (subscriber verification) shall be kept in abeyance till 31.03.2020.”

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    The letter further said that registration and testing related to roll out obligations of TSPs shall also remain suspended till March 31.
    NEW DELHI: The telecom department has extended compliance and audit deadlines for service providers till March 31 in view of COVID-19 pandemic. But telecom companies said that the deadline should be extended , given the 21-day lockdown which started on Wednesday.

    In a letter dated March 23, the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) had said, “Due to unforeseen situation in wake of COVID-19, it has been decided that the audit process conducted by LSA field units in respect of EMR (electromagnetic radiation) and CAF (subscriber verification) shall be kept in abeyance till 31.03.2020.”

    The letter further said that registration and testing related to roll out obligations of TSPs shall also remain suspended till March 31.

    However, the government had announced a nationwide 21-day lockdown on the next day, i.e March 24, to start at midnight on March 25.

    Industry body the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) which represents the private three telcos- Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea - has requested DoT to extend the deadline further till the period of lockdown.

    “We would also request DoT that any further extensions/ reliefs given by DoT should mention that it would be effective till the period of the lockdown instead of mentioning any specific date,” COAI said in its response.


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