Govt to seek Trai’s views on network testing regulations
NEW DELHI: The government will soon ask the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India to suggest network testing norms to be followed by fixed-line broadband players during the pre-launch trial phase to clearly outline the duration and the number of users which could be covered in this period.
At present, there are no limits on the duration and extent of network testing for home broadband players that offer services before the commercial launch.
The norms, when announced, would mean a new regulatory requirement for Reliance Jio, which in July 2018 announced the launch of Jio Gigafiber and has opened registrations without announcing the date of commercial launch. The company as part of its fixed-line broadband trials has been offering unlimited internet at 100 mbps, against a security deposit of ₹ 4,500 in New Delhi and Mumbai, for almost a year.
Jiogigafiber will be the largest greenfield fixed-line broadband roll-out globally, with simultaneous introduction in 1,100 cities across India, Reliance Industries Ltd chairman Mukesh Ambani said at the company’s 41st annual general meeting on 5 July.
“It was decided...trai should also give recommendations prescribing a framework for testing for fixed-line broadband also. That reference will be going to TRAI immediately,” Telecom Secretary and Chairman of Telecom Commission Aruna Sundararajan told reporters on Friday.
The Telecom Commission, the highest decision making authority at the department of telecommunications, on Friday met to finalise rules on network testing norms for mobile services, among other issues such as regulations on machine-to-machine communication services.