Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Chairman Rahul Khullar has said spectrum trading should be allowed. He also said the telecom regulator was making efforts to move towards a lighter regulatory regime.

“The market should open itself to mergers and acquisitions and spectrum trading,” Khullar said here today at a Ficci event.

Speaking on ‘Regulatory framework to achieve policy objectives’ at India Telecom 2012, Khullar said if a regulation is implemented, he would ensure it is enforced as well.

“A regulator’s job is not to formulate radical policies. He responds to the policy framework provided by the Government, responds to the changes in market conditions and to the changes in technologies,” he said.

However, he said it will take time as there is legal ambiguity which needs to be dealt with and then trust has to be built. Khullar said that ailing and limping industries cannot help India to grow, adding that it is time for such industries, which are on the downside, to look for opportunities in other sectors.

As technology was advancing at a fast pace, he said there is also a need to respond to it accordingly and encourage use of new devices and technologies. India urgently needs a new ‘Convergence Act’ for the industry to consolidate.

> ronendrasingh.s@thehindu.co.in

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