TRAI has initiated a consultation paper [PDF] on how to accelerate the growth of broadband services in India. At the end of June-2007, there were 2.52 Million broadband subscribers in India. TRAI’s target for 2007 is 9 million and is is likely that we will not even touch the half way mark 🙂
Key recommendations are,
- BSNL / MTNL should be encouraged to appoint franchisees to push broadband services. [So TRAI is aware of the shortcomings that exist in BSNL and MTNL offices]
- Standardisation of Customer Premises Equipment, opening the specifications and encouraging local manufacturing of the same. [What about upgrades to loop infrastructure ? This is a major problem with BSNL and to some extent with Airtel]
- Expedite decision on 3G & Broadband Wireless access policy [Currently, they have moved a step backwards to examine the shortcomings in 2G policy to tackle the spectrum crunch, so 3G can wait for some more time]
- Utilization of Universal Service Obligation fund to push broadband infrastructure [Good Move]
- India has 71 million cable TV subscribers. This network advantage can be leveraged by suitable measures to push broadband to consumers.
- Encourage DTH platform for broadband services
- TRAI suggests that new buildings / dwelling units be broadband ready, internally.
BSNL / MTNL together own more than 40 million copper loops in India, which are not open to private operators. In a related development, BSNL and MTNL are opposing to open their last mile infrastructure and are moving to the TDSAT to appeal against TRAI’s recommendation.
Before you are frustrated with the way TRAI recommends things, as visible from the implementation of NDNCRegistry , you send your thoughts and suggestions to TRAI’s S.K. Gupta – guptask61 @gmail.com.