Telecom Regulator

Telecom regulator Trai has invited public views on the process and other norms that should be followed to allocate spectrum for satellite communication services, an official statement said on Thursday. The consultation paper "Assignment of spectrum for Space-based Communication Services" follows reference made to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India by the Department of Telecom (DoT) seeking the regulator's recommendation on the contentious issue of spectrum allocation to satellite companies through auction. "In the present consultation paper, Trai has considered all the spectrum bands relevant for space-based communication services as indicated by DoT... In this consultation paper, specific issues have been raised for consideration of stakeholders. "Written comments on the issues raised in the consultation paper are invited from the stakeholders by May 4, 2023 and counter comments by May 18, 2023," Trai said. Satellite companies have unanimously opposed allocation of spectrum

Telecom regulator TRAI on Monday issued a draft to repeal the regulation on quality of service of dial-up and leased line internet access service. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) said that there are no dial-up subscribers now and high-speed broadband services are being provided through optical fibres, wireless technologies such as 4G. "Authority decided to repeal the Regulation on quality of service of dial-up and leased line internet access service, 2001 (4 of 2001) with effect from the date of its notification in the Official Gazette," the draft said. TRAI has sought comments on the draft by April 17. The regulation on quality of service of dial-up and leased line internet access service, 2001, was notified with the primary aim of specifying the quality of service benchmarks to be achieved by the service providers, ensure customer satisfaction with the network performance and to protect the interests of subscribers of the internet service. Under these regulation

Also ranked 6th among 26 countries in data usage growth over same period

Vodafone Idea had the highest data download rates, across both 3G and 4G networks in the most number of cities

Regulatory overlaps between multiple ministries and overreach by DoT worry stakeholders

The bill provides a regulatory framework for spelling out the govt's role in telecommunication services and networks; telecommunication equipment and infrastructure; and spectrum and its assignment

Overall, the country added 0.7 million new telecom subscribers in July, lower than the 2.22 million new subscribers in June

The telecom operators will welcome the move as they have long demanded that OTT communication apps that provide the same services as operators should be subjected to similar regulations

The auction of over 72 GHz of the spectrum is set to commence on July 26, 2022

Domestic telecom gear maker HFCL on Tuesday said it has bagged an order worth Rs 237.25 crore from a private telecom operator for supplying optical fibre cables. The company, however, did not disclose the name of the customer. "We are pleased to inform all the stakeholders that the company, along with its material subsidiary, HTL Limited, has received the purchase order aggregating to Rs 237.25 crore from one of the leading private telecom operators of the country for supply of optical fibre cables," HFCL said in a regulatory filing. The order is to be executed by October 2022, it added.

While deciding that the spectrum should be auctioned for a period of 20 years, the inter-ministerial panel also decided against alloting spectrum directly to corporate bodies for private 5G networks

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) clarified that in case the same date for such renewal is not available in a month, the date of renewal will be the last date of that month

The government is creating a framework "which should stay for next 30-40 years" through the upcoming round of reforms, the minister emphasised

The telecom revenue collection is expected to be higher than the budget estimates of Rs 53,986.72 crore for the current financial year at Rs 71,959.24 crore

A federal appeals court refused to hear Chinese tech giant Huawei's request to throw out rule used to bar rural phone carriers on national security grounds from using govt funds to purchase equipment

At present, DTH or cable TV operators provide only 100 channels for Rs 153. Now, cable operators will have to provide 200 channels for Rs 153

"Provision of services for captive purposes, that is, Captive Contact Centres have been kept out from the scope of OSP. They would require to furnish intimation only," it said

Why are missed calls such a big deal for leading telcos?

In its consultation paper released last week, Trai addressed three key points including the bundling of channels under bouquets, rampant discounting within bouquets, and the lack of consumer choice

The Trai had earlier issued show cause notices to various operators for specific circles for not meeting revised quality of service criteria as laid down by the regulator