TRAI releases "The Telecommunication Interconnection (Port Charges) (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2026"

TRAI released the Telecommunication Interconnection (Port Charges) (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2026, introducing a framework for IP-based interconnection port charges to take effect from January 1, 2027.

• Annual ceilings on IP-port charges are prescribed at ₹5.6 lakh per 1 Gbps IP port and ₹42.3 lakh per 10 Gbps IP port.
• Interconnection providers and seekers may mutually agree to charges below the prescribed ceilings and to IP-port capacities other than 1 Gbps and 10 Gbps.
• A graded financial disincentive framework with a ceiling of ₹15 lakh per Service Area has been prescribed for contravention of specified provisions.
• The definition of "Port" has been revised to include both legacy E1 ports (2.048 Mbps) and IP ports.