Telcos unanimous in opposing Trai tougher quality norm proposals
Telecom operators, Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea have demonstrated rare unanimity in opposing the sector regulator’s proposal to have more stringent provisions for improving the quality of services.
Consumer advocacy groups, however, have backed the regulator in demanding guardrails that hold telcos accountable for the quality of service, prompting telcos and telecom associations to oppose the draft regulations.
The regulator has asked stakeholders to send more comments by April 22.
The draft regulations floated by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (trai) in August 2023 looked at updating the present QoS regulations, notified during the 2G era, to take into account the rapid changes the sector has made with the rollout of 4G services and now with the emergence of 5G technology.
The draft regulations recommended by Trai include reporting QoS data monthly, instead of quarterly, with more stringent benchmarks for various services, and imposing financial disincentives for wireline, wireless and broadband services.
Telcos opposed the shift to monthly reporting of QoS data, adding that it will be a humongous exercise with no desired end-result in improving QoS.
The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) which represents the three private telcos — Jio, Airtel and Vodafone Idea, questioned the intent of the consultation held Tuesday, stating that quality of experience also depends on the device ecosystem, apps, quantum of spectrum available, backhaul, and right of way issues, which have
