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News: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) hosted South Asian nations for the South Asian Telecommunication Regulators’ Council (SATRC) event. The event witnessed TRAI Chairman being voted the chair of SATRC for the coming year.
1. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI): It is a statutory body established under the provisions of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997.
2. Its primary objective is to regulate the telecommunications sector, protect the interests of consumers and ensure fair competition in the market.
3. Important functions of TRAI include regulating telecommunication services, tariff regulation, spectrum management, policy recommendations, consumer grievance redressal.
4. TRAI is headed by a chairperson, who is assisted by whole-time and part-time members. All of them are appointed by the central government.
5. South Asian Telecommunication Regulators’ Council (SATRC): It was established in 1997 by an initiative of Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) and International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Regional Office for Asia and Pacific.
6. Its key objectives are promoting regional cooperation, harmonisation of telecommunication standards, facilitating policy dialogue, encouraging collaboration on emerging technologies, and protecting consumer interests.
7. SATRC comprises the heads of the regulatory bodies of nine South Asian countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
