Telecom regulator TRAI has invited an Expression of Interest (EOI) for consultancy services to help formulate a policy and regulatory framework for telecom service providers migrating to Next Generation Networks (NGN).

NGN networks are advanced systems that enable telecom service operators to provide better quality signals while offering multimedia, data and voice services.

The purpose of the EoI is to engage a consultant to assist in establishing an appropriate policy and regulatory framework for NGNs, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) said in a statement.

The consultant would have to prepare an exhaustive report on technical and commercial issues relating to NGNs, besides a consultation paper that would be used by TRAI later, it added.

After the consultation process is over, the consultant would be required to assist TRAI in evaluation of the comments to arrive at suitable conclusions.

TRAI had earlier released a consultation paper on 'Issues Pertaining to NGN' in January, 2006. On the basis of inputs received from stakeholders, recommendations were sent to the Department of Telecommunications in March, 2006.

TRAI had indicated it is necessary to have a comprehensive regime for addressing issues like migration from legacy networks to NGN, besides regulatory issues related to their deployment and methods of calculation of Interconnect Usage Charges (IUC), licensing, security and quality of service.

The last date of submission of EOIs is February 1, 2011.