Trai to set service quality benchmark for internet speed

New Delhi, July 5: The Telecom Regulatory of India (Trai) plans to set benchmarks for quality of service for internet speeds on both fixed line and wireless broadband networks, as it aims to ensure better data connectivity to consumers.

As part of its plans, Trai on Tuesday launched its own MySpeed app that consumers can download and check the speed of their internet networks both on broadband at home and on 3G/4G wireless networks. The users can upload the details of the speed and network quality to the Trai server, which in turn is analysed and published on the regulator’s analytics portal.

Traichairman RSSharma said the regulator is looking to float a consultation paper after getting some data from users, further which it would set a benchmark for quality of services for internet speeds.

Internet speed is crucial for the government to ensure success of its flagship Digital India programme, wherein the government plans to bring all citizen and business centric services online, he said.

The move comes after the regulator and operators have been at loggerheads over data on call drops. Telecom operators allege that the regulator had conducted selective drive tests to determine instances of call drops, while Trai has maintained that the area of the drive tests were selected in consultation with the operators.

Trai extends validity of data recharge coupons to one year

In a move that could benefit both the consumers and telecom operators, the Trai on Tuesday extended the validity period of rechargecoupons used for data services for one year instead of the current regime of 90-days validity. In its order, Trai said, in the current regulatory regime, operators are allowed to offer data services through special tariff vouchers, or STVs either exclusively or in combination with talktime with a maximum validity of 90days. fe Bureau