In a far reaching directive aimed at ensuring a level playing field and effective interconnection between service providers, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has said that direct connectivity should be made between the basic and mobile service providers, including BSNL and MTNL, within three months.

"In order to ensure effective interconnection between different service providers and to fix terms and conditions of interconnectivity, direct connectivity should be made between the service providers at the earliest and not later than three months from the date of issue of this direction," a Trai statement said.

However, transiting of traffic in the exceptional cases -- overflow, disruption of traffic on direct interconnection route or in cases of insufficient traffic and lack of techno-economic justification of direct connectivity -- may be permitted through basic service operators based on mutual agreement between the service providers.

The telecom regulator's decision comes after various stakeholders represented Trai on the need for direct connectivity between the networks of service providers.

Analysing in terms of ensuring a level playing field and protecting consumer interest, Trai said that transiting of traffic between service providers in the same service areas entailed avoidable transit charges which were eventually passed on to the consumers in the form of higher tariffs.

The principle of interconnection payments by interconnection seekers was also taken into account in this context.