The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued several recommendations to increase broadband connectivity in the country, and one of the key suggestions is to fix the minimum download speed for broadband connectivity at 2 Mbps. This is more than four times the current minimum broadband speed of 512 Kbps which was introduced by the regulator in 2014 as an upgrade to the earlier 256 Kbps speed. TRAI has also recommended that the government should speed up the fixed-line broadband rollout in rural areas by reimbursing 50 per cent of the monthly subscription fee.
one in 301-page document to increase its recommendations broadband penetration into the country. The regulator noted that based on the inputs received from stakeholders and its internal analysis, it was observed that Current 512 Kbps speed “Insufficient to access some basic applications” and found that the minimum limit should be 2 Mbps.
“Broadband is a data connection that is capable of supporting interactive services including Internet access and has the potential for a minimum download speed of 2 Mbps to an individual subscriber from the presence (POP) of the service provider wishing to provide broadband service.” Try said in his recommendations.
The regulator also considered classification of fixed broadband services based on download speed, as has been done in the UK and Europe. It suggested that fixed broadband connections should be classified into three different categories – ‘basic broadband’ for connections with download speeds between 2-50 Mbps, ‘fast broadband’ with 50-300 Mbps and above 300 Mbps. ‘Super-Fast Broadband’ with above download speed. .
Along with recommending minimum speeds and categories based on download speed, TRAI in its document emphasized the need to increase the penetration of fixed line broadband in the country. It said that only 9.1 percent of Indian households have fixed broadband, while the majority of residents have mobile broadband as their only source of internet access.
To improve internet penetration, TRAI has recommended an interest subvention scheme to encourage investment in last mile linkages for fixed line broadband and enable operators providing wired internet connections. The regulator also urged the government to create a national portal for Right of Way (RoW) permission for laying fiber and setting up towers.
TRAI also asked the government to subsidize internet access through broadband for the rural population through a pilot Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme. Under the pilot, the regulator said the government should consider reimbursement of 50 per cent of the monthly fixed line broadband subscription fee which does not exceed Rs. 200 per month. It also noted that the reimbursement can be processed through e-RUPI which was issued by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) last month.
In addition, TRAI has recommended that the government expedite the auction of available mid-band spectrum from 3300 MHz to 3600 MHz and allocate millimeter wave (mmWave) range spectrum to increase the speed of mobile broadband in the country. It also suggested that a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) should be formulated by the government to encourage the States and Union Territories to improve RoW.
It is important to note that the recommendations made by TRAI are not binding on the service providers. However, the government may consider them and amend the relevant laws.
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