The communications and IT minister, A. Raja, is learnt to be in favour of the three-year lock-in clause for new licensees.

However, Raja's decision to support the lock-in clause will not impact the deals that some new companies such as Swan, S Teland Unitech have entered into. This is because the TRAI, while endorsing the lock-in clause, had stated that this clause would not apply if telecom companies were to issue fresh share capital to investors and foreign telecom operators.