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Uniform licence fee of 8% of Adjusted Gross Revenue to be applicable for all ISPs
NEW DELHI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has said a uniform licence fee of 8 per cent of the Adjusted Gross Revenue will be applicable for holders of all Internet Service Provider (ISP) license.
The revenue for the purpose of licence fee for ISP licences shall include all types of revenue from internet services, allowing only those deductions available for pass through charges and taxes/levies as in the case of access services, without any set-off for expenses. Revenues from internet services shall also be included in the definition of AGR.
The recommendations came by way of “Definition of Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) in Licence Agreements for provision of Internet Services and minimum presumptive AGR”.
The Regulator said minimum presumptive AGR for the purpose of licence fee shall be applicable on the existing ISPs holding the BWA spectrum as applicable to the licensees who obtained access spectrum through competitive bidding.
For the existing ISPs who are holding BWA spectrum from the 2010 auction, the value of presumptive AGR shall be equal to 5 per cent of sum of the total bid amount by the licensee for the respective service area, as applicable to the licensees who obtained spectrum in the auctions conducted in November 2012 and March 2013.
The Department of Telecommunication had in a letter on 22 October 2012 sought TRAI’s recommendations on (i) the definition of AGR in the ISP License Agreements for provision of Internet Services granted the 1998, 2002 and 2007 guidelines, (ii) the applicability of minimum presumptive AGR and value, if applicable, for BWA Spectrum holders under internet service and (iii) the amendment in the “Format of Statement of Revenue and Licence Fee” to be reported by various categories of Internet Service Licensees.
TRAI had thereafter issued a consultation paper on 28 December 2012 seeking the views of stakeholders on the above issues. The written comments received were placed on TRAI’s website www.trai.gov.in. An open house discussion was conducted by TRAI in New Delhi on 21 February 2013.
The recommendations have been issued after considering the comments received from the stakeholders and further analyzing the various related aspects. Full details are available on the TRAI website.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
