Private operators may get some respite. The Department of Telecom (DoT) on Tuesday softened its position on access deficit charges (ADC), saying changes by Trai were okay, as long as it ensured that the revenues of the telecom PSU do not suffer.Trai is reviewing the ADC regime and may come out with revised norms soon with reduced quantum on both local as well as international calls. Trai is of the view that higher rate of ADC was the root cause of grey traffic.On the possibility of the telecom regulator recommending reduction in ADC rates, Communication Minister Dayanidhi Maran said, ‘‘I have always maintained that the ADC regime should continue its full term of five years. It was meant to be set out with good intentions. Simultaneously, I also feel that just reducing the ADC is not going to stop the grey market traffic which is coming to India.’’It is not only reduction in ADC which would stop grey traffic. The DoT has started playing a pro-active role Maran said.
