Publication

This paper discusses the problems of institutional change in India's telecommunications sector. The author argues that the monopoly was reinforced by the telecom department's (DOT) combined functions as policymaker, regulator and service provider. In addition, ownership of the telecom network and political support made it difficult to institutionalize competition. The paper suggests the mechanism by which the service provision role of the DOT functioned was diluted over time, and the regulator made more independent. Further, the author points out the challenges ahead for independent regulation and increased domestic and foreign investment in India.