New Delhi: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has introduced mandatory online registration of telecom interconnection agreements, with the new rules set to take effect from January 1, 2027.
Under the Register of Interconnect Agreements (Fourth Amendment) Regulations, 2026, telecom service providers will have to register agreements and subsequent modifications through a dedicated TRAI portal. Existing agreements must be uploaded within 15 days of the rules coming into force, while new agreements and modifications must be registered within 15 days of their execution.
Service providers will also be required to submit text-searchable PDF copies of the agreements. The amendment replaces the earlier system of submitting printed documents along with soft copies on storage media.
The revised framework also allows members of the public to apply online for inspection of the register and obtain copies or extracts of agreements, in addition to the existing physical access facility.
TRAI has fixed the inspection fee at ₹1,500 per hour or part thereof, while copies and extracts will cost ₹500 per page. The regulator can also seek detailed information in prescribed formats and timelines.
A graded financial disincentive mechanism has been introduced to deal with violations of the regulations.
The amendments follow a consultation process initiated in April 2025. Seventeen stakeholders submitted comments and nine filed counter-comments, while an open house discussion was held in January 2026.
TRAI said the changes are aimed at improving transparency, regulatory oversight and ease of access to interconnection agreements. The full regulations and explanatory memorandum are available at www.trai.gov.in.
