Trai repeals old QoS rules for dial-up, leased line internet access, says no longer relevant

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

The regulator on Thursday issued the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Repealing Regulations, 2023, to repeal the older quality of service (QoS) rules of December 2001 that it feels are no longer relevant. The older regulation of 2001 was applicable to all basic service operators and ISPs, including state-run BSNL, MTNL and erstwhile VSNL (rechristened Tata Communications).

In an official statement, Trai said the older regulations were issued when dial-up was the only service available for accessing low speed internet. «But with the passage of time, telecom networks, both wireline as well as wireless, have evolved to offer high speed broadband services on xDSL, FTTH, LTE and 5G technologies.» Trai added that leased line access services too are offered by Internet Gateway Service Providers (IGSPs) – holding ISP permits — to enterprises.

And since these are Service Level Agreement (SLA)-based, the agreements between contracting parties have sufficient provisions to safeguard concerns related to service quality, it added. Accordingly, “the regulation on quality of service of dial-up and leased line internet access service, 2001, appears to be no more relevant in the present context,” the regulator said.

Earlier in April, Trai had issued the draft Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Repealing Regulations, 2023, and sought comments. “Based on comments of stakeholders, and considering the aspect of ease of doing business, the Authority has decided to repeal the Regulation on quality of service of dial-up and leased line internet access service, 2001, with effect from date of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Repealing Regulations, 2023, in the Official Gazette,” the regulator said Thursday.