MUMBAI: Telecom regulator Trai today said that operators should be encouraged to move to next generation networks (NGN) for effective utilisation of spectrum for mobile services asked government to act fast on unified licensing regime to make NGN a reality.

Trai's recommendations for a unified licensing regime, dated 13th January 2005, should be considered expeditiously so that various operators can make best use of NGN platform to provide all types of telecom, data, video and broadcast services through a single licence, Trai said in its recommendations.

A statement issued by Trai today says: "Due to technological advancements there is a trend towards unification of networks & services leading to the emergence of Next Generation Networks, which are predominantly IP based. The NGNs enable the service providers to provide a wide range of services (voice, data, video) over the same platform."

In addition, NGNs also enable fixed-mobile convergence / substitution resulting into reduced demand on mobile services spectrum, the statement points out.

Increase in broadband penetration is a must for wider deployment of NGN services and since the policy targets for broadband have not been met, it is time to undertake the review of various recommendations on broadband access related issues, Trai said, adding that unless various operators are able to deploy NGN in access to provide multiple services its full benefits cannot be made available to customers.