TRAI releases “The Register of Interconnect Agreements (Fourth Amendment) Regulations, 2026”

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today released “The Register of Interconnect Agreements (Fourth Amendment) Regulations, 2026”. These regulations will take effect from 1^st January 2027.

Interconnection in telecommunications refers to the commercial and technical arrangements that connect two or more telecommunications networks, allowing telecommunications traffic to flow between them and enabling users of different service providers to communicate seamlessly. The Register of Interconnect Agreements Regulations, 1999 provide the regulatory framework for the registration and maintenance of interconnect agreements entered into between service providers.

Sub-sections (vii) and (viii) of section 11(1)(b) of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997 empower, inter alia, TRAI to maintain a register of interconnect agreements and make it available for public inspection, subject to the payment of the prescribed fee and fulfilment of other specified requirements.

To ensure that the existing regulatory framework governing interconnection matters remains relevant, transparent, and conducive to efficient interconnection between service providers, TRAI initiated the review of the regulatory framework through a Pre-Consultation Paper on the “Review of the existing TRAI Regulations on Interconnection matters”, dated 03.04.2025. Through this Pre-Consultation Paper, stakeholders’ comments were sought to review, inter alia, the Register of Interconnect Agreements Regulations, 1999.

Subsequently, a Consultation Paper on the “Review of the existing TRAI Regulations on Interconnection matters”, providing the background information and taking into account the stakeholders’ comments received during the pre-consultation process, was issued on 10.11.2025. Through the Consultation Paper, the stakeholders’ comments were sought to review, inter alia, the Register of Interconnect Agreements Regulations, 1999. After extension, the last dates for furnishing written comments and counter-comments were 15.12.2025 and 29.12.2025, respectively.

In response to the issues raised in the Consultation Paper, seventeen stakeholders submitted their comments, while nine stakeholders submitted counter-comments. As part of the consultation process, an Open House Discussion (OHD) on the Consultation Paper was held on 28.01.2026. Considering the comments received from stakeholders during the consultation process, and their analysis, TRAI has finalised the Register of Interconnect Agreements (Fourth Amendment) Regulations, 2026.

The salient points of the amendment regulations are given below:

1. Online registration of interconnect agreements: The amendment regulations provide for all service providers to register their interconnect agreements, as well as any modifications thereto, through the portal established by TRAI for this purpose. The earlier requirement of furnishing printed copies along with a soft copy on floppy/diskette has been dispensed with. Agreements in force as on 1^st January 2027 are required to be submitted within fifteen days from that date, and new agreements and modifications within fifteen days of their execution or modification. This will facilitate efficient registration, maintenance of an updated register, and retrieval of interconnect agreements.
2. Submission of text-searchable electronic documents: Service providers are required to furnish electronic copies of interconnect agreements and modifications thereto in text-searchable PDF format within the timeline specified for registration. This will facilitate efficient processing, examination, maintenance and retrieval of documents.
3. Online access to the Register of Interconnect Agreements: The amended framework enables submission of applications for inspection of the Register of Interconnect Agreements, access to the prescribed part of the Register, and obtaining copies or extracts thereof through the portal. This will facilitate electronic access to the relevant portions of the Register in addition to the existing physical mode, thereby improving accessibility and convenience for members of the public, subject to the applicable regulatory provisions.
4. Time-bound furnishing of disaggregated information: TRAI may specify formats for obtaining disaggregated information that can be included in the Register of Interconnect Agreements within the period specified by TRAI. This will ensure timely availability of structured and standardised information, facilitating effective regulatory oversight and greater transparency in interconnection arrangements.
5. Revision of fees for inspection and copies: The fee for inspection of the Register has been revised to ₹1,500 per hour or part thereof, and the charge for copies or extracts to ₹500 per page. The revised fee structure is broadly aligned with the framework prescribed under the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Access to Information) Regulation, 2005.
6. Graded framework for financial disincentives: For effective implementation of the regulations, a graded financial disincentive framework has been prescribed for contravention of provisions of these regulations. This will make the enforcement of the regulatory framework more effective, proportionate and commensurate with the nature and seriousness of the contraventions to the provisions of these regulations.

The amendment regulations modernise the framework governing the registration and maintenance of interconnect agreements through digitalisation of the registration, submission and access processes. The provisions relating to time-bound furnishing of information and graded financial disincentives will facilitate effective regulatory oversight and compliance. Overall, the amended framework is expected to enhance administrative efficiency, transparency, accessibility and regulatory certainty in matters relating to interconnect agreements.

The full text of “The Register of Interconnect Agreements (Fourth Amendment) Regulations, 2026”, along with the Explanatory Memorandum, is available on TRAI’s website at www.trai.gov.in.

For any clarification/information, Shri Sameer Gupta, Advisor (Networks, Spectrum & Licensing-I), TRAI may be contacted at email ID: adv-nsl1@trai.gov.in or telephone number +91-11-20907752.