Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) played a pivotal role in the great Indian telecom success story. The body keeps a close watch on the quality of services offered by the telecom operators to millions of wireless subscriber. However, there is little that the regulator can do when it comes to implementation of these norms on the ground level. Former Principal Advisor to TRAI Satyen Gupta spoke to Akhilesh Shukla about the MNP and regulators role in implementation of QoS norms.
B&E: How you will rate the present QoS of the telecom services in India?
SG: The QoS of the telecom operators has never been upto the mark. TRAI has not enough teeth to force the telecom operators to match the QoS benchmark laid by the regulator. Operators also did not see any incentive in investing in upgradation and maintenance of quality of services, due to the falling margins. Besides, issues related to building up a new base station were always there. Operators face several hurdles in putting up base stations, especially because of the rules and unrealistic taxes laid out by the local development bodies. Improper spectrum management has lead to a crunch leading to network congestion. But now MNP will force operators to improve QoS.
B&E: Some of the telecom operators do not meet the quality of service norms in some circles. What is the action that a regulator can take in that case?
SG: Telecom regulator TRAI has a very little role to play when it comes to implementation of QoS norms. The maximum that the body can do is to bring out the QoS report in public, making consumers aware of the telcos not meeting the minimum norms set by the regulator. It can also recommend cancellation of license, but the final call lies with the Department of Telecom, the body which issue licenses. TRAI can penalise the operators also, but it is a cumbersome process as the regulator has to court of law.
B&E: After 3G and MNP, what is the next step you see in Indian telecom?
SG: 3G spectrum auction and role out of 3G services by private and PSU operators was one of the biggest landmarks in the Indian telecom success story. Implementation of MNP would be another milestone in the second largest telecom market. Now, it is the right time for the country to look forward for Next Generation Networks and Next Generation Access technology. Both the technologies will provide better and faster internet speed to subscribers. It would also be helpful in bridging the digital divide between the rural and urban part of the country.
SG: The QoS of the telecom operators has never been upto the mark. TRAI has not enough teeth to force the telecom operators to match the QoS benchmark laid by the regulator. Operators also did not see any incentive in investing in upgradation and maintenance of quality of services, due to the falling margins. Besides, issues related to building up a new base station were always there. Operators face several hurdles in putting up base stations, especially because of the rules and unrealistic taxes laid out by the local development bodies. Improper spectrum management has lead to a crunch leading to network congestion. But now MNP will force operators to improve QoS.
B&E: Some of the telecom operators do not meet the quality of service norms in some circles. What is the action that a regulator can take in that case?
SG: Telecom regulator TRAI has a very little role to play when it comes to implementation of QoS norms. The maximum that the body can do is to bring out the QoS report in public, making consumers aware of the telcos not meeting the minimum norms set by the regulator. It can also recommend cancellation of license, but the final call lies with the Department of Telecom, the body which issue licenses. TRAI can penalise the operators also, but it is a cumbersome process as the regulator has to court of law.
B&E: After 3G and MNP, what is the next step you see in Indian telecom?
SG: 3G spectrum auction and role out of 3G services by private and PSU operators was one of the biggest landmarks in the Indian telecom success story. Implementation of MNP would be another milestone in the second largest telecom market. Now, it is the right time for the country to look forward for Next Generation Networks and Next Generation Access technology. Both the technologies will provide better and faster internet speed to subscribers. It would also be helpful in bridging the digital divide between the rural and urban part of the country.
Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri
and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).
and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).
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