TRAI for speeding up Broadband Network in the country

New Delhi, Jan 2 (UNI) To step up the slow growth rate of broadband penetration in the country, the telecom regulator today issued a slew of recommendations including increasing the number of KU band transponders to roll out these services through the direct-to-home (DTH) platform.

The other important recommendation put forward by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is to expedite the decision regarding mechanism, pricing and availability of spectrum for WiMAX and 3G services.

TRAI has recommended that more than two service providers seeking minimum subsidy should be identified with a rollout obligation to ensure the establishment of network in a bid to increase competition to provide broadband in rural areas.

BSNL and MTNL should be encouraged to appoint franchisees for providing broadband services to supplement their efforts. Any procedural restrictions or limitations are to be addressed immediately.

TEC (Telecom Engineering Centre) should undertake certification of different CPEs model for interoperability for provisioning of the broadband. All CPEs conforming to specifications for interoperability should be displayed on TEC website for the information of customers, recommended TRAI.

It further says,incumbents may declare future plans for providing broadband using DSL technology to encourage manufacturing of CPEs within country.

Central Government may take-up with the state governments to adopt uniform Right of Way (RoW) procedures and a district level committee may be formed to study RoW requirement and to take measures to encourage service providers to share ducts.

Cable TV operators should also be encouraged to provide broadband over their network, said TRAI.

It also lays emphasis on utilisation of Universal Service Obligation (USO) fund to provide subsidy for providing broadband services through satellite in remote and hilly areas.

It can also be used to subsidise backhaul charges initially for a period of 3 years to support the broadband rollout efforts on precondition that service provider identified for USO Fund subsidy to provide broadband should have spectrum for suitable technology.

TRAI also recommends to encourage Municipal committees to include a clause for making Multiple Dwelling Units, buildings broadband ready by adopting suitable internal wiring while giving clearance for the construction of all such buildings in future.

The government has set a target of having two-crore broadband connections by 2010, with the present number being at 30-lakh broadband subscribers.

UNI BJR AK DS1503