Press Release on Carrier Selection_24th July
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http://www.trai.gov.in/Press%20Release%20on%20Carrier%20Selection_24th%20July.htm
9/3/2002
TELECOM REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF INDIA
PRESS RELEASE
(24th JULY, 2002)
TRAI ISSUES DIRECTION ON CARRIER SELECTION
PROCEDURES
TRAI today issued a Direction to all Access Providers (BSOs / CMSOs) &
National /International Long Distance Operators, regarding implementation of Carrier Selection
in their respective networks.
Consequent to the opening up of the National & International long distance service
markets, the customer has multiple choices to route his long distance calls through carriers
chosen by him. As per provisions in the License Agreement & the policy directive of the
government, this has to be done by dialing four extra digits called Carrier Access Code (CAC)
after '0' (for NLD calls) & '00' (for ILD calls), which will enable the switching system of the
Access Providers (BSOs / CMSOs) to identify the long distance carrier selected by the
subscriber, and route the call accordingly. Alternatively, the subscriber can intimate his choice
to the Access Providers (APs) in advance in a process called 'polling', so that the four extra
digits i.e. CAC could be embedded in the exchange subscriber data base in advance and with
that the subscriber is not required to dial them. The latter mode of Carrier Selection called
Carrier Pre-selection (CPS) is implemented in telecommunication networks to provide ease to
customers in dialing their long distance calls. Both the modes of Carrier Selection i.e., 'Call by
Call' in which four extra digits are required to be dialed for routing of each call, and Carrier Pre-
selection (CPS), are required to be implemented in a time bound manner in the Indian
telecommunication network.
2 This direction has been formulated based upon the principle that the choice of carrier
must be with the subscriber. The subscriber would be able to exercise this choice in respect of
both domestic long distance as well as th