India to appoint a new boss of the Telecom Regulatory Authority

A high level Indian commission will decide soon who will be the next chief of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). According to a Department of Telecom (DoT) pres release, applications have been invited for the post of TRAI Chairman.

The position will fall vacant on the retirement of current TRAI Chairman J S Sarma in May. 

Applications for the post have to be submitted by March 20, according to a public announcement. According to sources, those in the fray include Member of the Telecom Dispute Settlement and Appellate Tribunal P K A high level government committee will soon take a decision on Rastogi, BMC Commissioner Subodh Kumar and DoT Member (Technology) Chandra Prakash. An existing government employee will have to retire from the post before joining as TRAI Chairperson.

The appointment will be for three years. The new telecom regulator will take over at a time when the industry will be bracing for new 2G spectrum auctions.

The TRAI has to issue recommendations as per the Supreme Court directive that cancelled 122 telecom licences this month.

The new chairman will be closely involved in the implementation of the new National Telecom Policy which is likely to be out by the end of April this year.