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

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India released the Telecommunication Interconnection (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2026, which will take effect on 1st January, 2027.

• The amendment shifts interconnection from Long Distance Charging Area and Short Distance Charging Area levels to Licensed Service Area level.
• Existing traffic must migrate to LSA-level points of interconnection within three years in a phased manner.
• New interconnections and existing E1/TDM-based interconnections must migrate to IP-based interconnection within three years.
• A specific procedure for voluntary surrender of points of interconnection has been introduced.
• The validity of bank guarantees has been extended from six months to twelve months.
• Interest on delayed payment of interconnection charges is capped at the State Bank of India's one-year Marginal Cost of Funds-based Lending Rate plus two percent.