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Category: TRAI

  • Trai releases draft Regulation on ‘Review of The Quality of Service (Code of Practice for Metering and Billing Accuracy) Regulations, 2023’

    Mumbai : The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India ( trai ) has released a draft regulation on ‘Review of The Quality of Service (Code of Practice for Metering and Billing Accuracy) Regulations, 2023’ and draft guidelines for this regulation.

    Accuracy of metering and billing of telecom services has been a prime focus of the Regulator to protect the interest of consumers. In this regard, TRAI had notified the Quality of Service (Code of Practice for Metering and Billing Accuracy) Regulations, 2006, on 21 March 2006.

     These regulations contain a Code of Practice for Metering and Billing Accuracy which is to be complied by all Basic Service Providers, Unified Access Service Providers and Cellular Mobile Telephone Service Providers. The amendment to the Quality of Service (Code of Practice for Metering and Billing Accuracy) Regulation, 2006, was issued on 25 March 2013.

    “Over the time, the telecom networks have undergone significant changes, and many new services are offered by the telecom service providers. Additionally, tariffs against the services offered have also undergone significant changes specially after introduction of unlimited data or voice plans with fixed tariffs on daily/monthly/yearly basis. All these new tariff offerings provide unlimited usage with certain limits under Fair Usage Policy(FUP), thereby shifting focus from itemized billing to committed volume of data or voice or SMS on daily basis or till the expiry of validity of the subscribed tariff offering.” said note released by Trai.

    It further added, “New IP based networks such as LTE/5G technologies, carrying voice over data have now shifted billing from per second/minute based billing to data volume based billing. Accordingly, service providers are expected to have advanced, robust and scalable IT products for accurate billing of various services being offered to consumers.”

    The authority had release  Consultation Paper on “Review of The Quality of Service (Code of Practice for Metering and Billing Accuracy) Regulations, 2006′ on 1 September 2020 seeking comments and counter comments of stakeholders by 27 October 2020 and 10 November 2020 respectively.

    the Authority had received written comments from 13 stakeholders and 1 counter comment, held Open House Discussions (OHD)and subsequent discussions with the stakeholders and empaneled auditors. All inputs/ comments received have been considered by the Authority while finalizing these draft Regulations and Guidelines.

    However, before issuing final regulations by repealing previous regulations and their amendments on the subject, Authority decided to put forward draft regulations and guidelines in the public domain for consideration of the stakeholders and offer further comments, if any.

    Written comments on draft regulations and guidelines are invited from the stakeholders by 17 March 2023.

    https://www.trai.gov.in/sites/default/files/Draft_Regulation_24022023_0.pdf

  • Trai issues Directions to all Telecom Service Providers to submit Quality of Service (QoS) reports for each State and UT

    Mumbai : The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has asked all Telecom Service Providers to submit Quality of Service (QoS) reports for each State and UT.

    Trai  published the “Standards of Quality of Service of Basic Telephone Service (Wireline) and Cellular Mobile Telephone Service Regulations (7 of 2009)” on March 20, 2009, as amended from time to time.

    “Direction under section 13, read with sub-clauses (i) and (v) of clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 11, of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997 (24 of 1997), and regulation 9 of the Standards of Quality of Service of Basic Telephone Service (Wireline) and Cellular Mobile Telephone Service Regulations, 2009 (7 of 2009) dated the 20th March, 2009, to submit compliance reports of benchmarks of Quality of Service parameters for each State and Union Territory” said the Trai  document

    Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) are currently submitting QoS performance reports based on License Service Area (LSA).

    The Authority has determined that the submission of a report for QoS parameters by State and Union Territory is required for an accurate analysis of the QoS provided by TSPs.

    “the Authority has observed that submission of State and Union Territory-wise data for Quality of Service parameters to the Authority is an essential requirement for optimum analysis of quality of service provided in various States and Union Territories,” said Trai

    Here are directions

    TSPs have been directed to submit quarterly reports on the QoS parameters specified in Regulation 3 for Basic (wireline) Services and ‘Network Service Quality Parameters’ of Regulation 5 for Cellular Mobile Telephone Services, beginning with the quarter ending 31 March 2023.

    Data shall be submitted in electronic form in Microsoft Excel format, duly signed by the authorized signatory of the service provider, within forty five (45) days from the end of each quarter for Basic Telephone Service (Wireline) in the format specified in Annexure-I to this Direction and within twenty one (21) days from the end of each quarter for Cellular Mobile Telephone Service in the format specified at Annexure-II to this Direction.

    LSA-wise data as currently being submitted through various PMRs shall continue to be submitted as per scheduled defined.

    This will also assist respective State/UT Governments in assisting service providers in improving QoS in the State/ UT  as needed.

  • AIDCF files petition in Kerala HC against Trai

    Mumbai: All India Digital Cable Federation (AIDCF)  has filed a writ petition against The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) in Kerala High Court. According to the petition AIDCF claims that Trai has made U turn on the necessity of Rs 12 price cap.

    The petition said, “By way of the Impugned Regulations Trai in violation of the Trai  Act,1997 has amongst others, increased the rate of television channels for inclusion in the bouquet from Rs 12 to Rs 19  per channel even though the cap of Rs 12  had been fixed only vide amendments undertaken on 1 January 2020 but were not fully given effect to until the price-cap was upheld by the High Court of Bombay vide judgement dated 30 June 2021. In an arbitrary manner, Trai without any justification has taken a complete u-turn on the necessity of Rs 12 price cap for inclusion of channels in the bouquet.”

    The petition further quotes Trai’s  stand as noted in the judgement dated 30 June 2021 where trai said, “Rs 19- should be considered as a price of niche/premium channels and should not be allowed to be part of any bouquet and it is the consumers’ choice that should be taken for subscription of such channels. The Authority has stated that the bouquet should be formed by bundling channels which are affordable and are in similar price brackets, and if high value channels are allowed to be part of the bouquets, the basic objective of the framework that the niche channel should only be given to the consumer on his free will, will be defeated. The Authority noted that as all top 4-S broadcasters haue priced their niche channel at Rs 19/-, the consumers are compelled to subscribe to either the bouquet or the niche channels, resulting in more payout from consumers in either case.”

    AIDCF further claimed in petition that, “ Without following the due process of consultation under Section 11(4) of the Trai Act, 1997, Trai has made changes to Regulation 7 (4) and  Regulation 10 (12) of the Interconnect Regulations which will force consumers to subscribe to bouquets and increase effective cost to consumers.”

    AIDCF argued that Trai has itself noted a constant decline in the cable television sector which if not stemmed, will lead to the destruction of an industry that provides employment to millions of people and a source of information, culture and awareness for the mass of the people.

    “By allowing an unchecked increase in prices to the consumers the Respondent No.r are unwittingly ensuring that there is further reduction and exodus from the cable television sector. The Impugned Regulations if not stayed will have a direct impact on consumers and will result in an immediate increase in average and ordinary consumer payout form 20 to 30 per cent,” said the petition.

    On Wednesday, Trai informed the Kerala HC that it had not postponed the implementation of its 2020 regulations and tariff order regarding TV channel pricing because all parties, including the members of AIDCF, believed that it needed to be given another look.

  • Trai releases recommendations on ‘Rating of Buildings or Areas for Digital Connectivity’

    Mumbai: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has released its recommendations on ‘Rating of Buildings or Areas for Digital Connectivity’.

    The release by Trai said , “In the past, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) and the Government have taken various policy initiatives to fulfil the demands of telecom connectivity. These policy interventions have helped in improving connectivity, resulting in wider coverage and higher data throughput. However, all these efforts have fallen short in achieving the desired level of digital connectivity experience of the users, who now prefer to work from anywhere, at any time.”

    It further added, “ The rollout of the 5G network has further stimulated the need for seamless experience of the 5G services, specifically inside the buildings.”

    Trai has conducted many studies to assess the quality of connectivity, identify challenges in providing connectivity and to suggest the way forward.

    Based on these studies Trai published a monograph on “Quest for a Good Quality Network inside Multi-Storey Residential Apartments: Reimagining ways to improve quality’.

    Trai undertook the process of consultation on a Suomoto basis to provide a framework for the establishment of an eco-system wherein Digital Connectivity Infrastructure becomes part of all development activities.

    Trai issued Consultation Paper (CP) on “Rating of Buildings or Areas for Digital Connectivity’ on 25 March 2022, to seek stakeholders’ input on issues raised, by 07 July 2022.

    Based on the comments received, discussions held with stakeholders during the Open House Discussion and analysis thereof, the recommendations of the Trai on “Rating of Buildings or Areas for Digital Connectivity’ have been finalised.

    The emphasis of these recommendations is on providing a framework for the creation of an ecosystem for Digital Connectivity Infrastructure (DCI) to be an intrinsic part of building development plan similar to other building services such as water, electricity or Fire Safety System.

    “DCI is to be co-designed and co-created with building development through collaborations among various stakeholders, including property managers (owner or developer or builder etc.), service providers, infrastructure providers, DCI professionals, and authorities at various urban/ local bodies. This framework shall also open job opportunities for the young professionals to become DCI Professionals and be part of design, deployment and evaluation of digital connectivity infrastructure.” Trai said in the release.

    Trai has also proposed a new chapter on ‘Digital Connectivity Infrastructures in Buildings’ to be included in Model Building Bye Laws 2016 by modifying and updating existing provisions added in MBBL as an annexure through an Addendum to Model Building Bye Laws 2016 titled “Provisions for In- Building Solutions Digital Communication Infrastructure” issued by Town and Country Planning Organisation (TCPO) of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), in March 2022.

    Trai further emphasised that Digital Connectivity Infrastructure (DCI) developed in the buildings by the property managers (developers, builders etc) should be accessible to all service providers on a fair, transparent, nondiscriminatory and non-chargeable basis. 9. The recommendations also include development of a framework for Rating of the buildings for digital connectivity, which will add value to the property. Trai will come up, separately, with appropriate regulatory framework for Rating of Buildings, which will also include the issue of Rating certification.

  • Trai requests telecom service providers to review consumer complaints

    Mumbai : The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) recently held a meeting with major Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) to review the issues related to the quality of telecom services being faced by consumers and the menace of unsolicited commercial communications (UCC).

    The authority has directed TSPs to take immediate action to demonstrate visible improvements in service quality and consumer experience. TSPs were instructed to investigate the issue of call muting and one-way speech and to take corrective action as soon as possible. TSPs should ensure that there is minimal disruption or degradation of QoS of existing telecom services while rolling out 5G networks.

    TSPs were also informed that Trai is closely monitoring long-duration network outages. Such outages have a negative impact on service quality and the consumer experience. All telecom providers were asked to notify Trai of any such outages in any district or state. If necessary, Trai may consider enacting appropriate regulations.

    Trai also requested that TSPs plan and implement systems for online data collection for QoS benchmarks, as well as their processing to generate performance reports at the License Service Area, State, or lower granularity levels. This will simplify the process of QoS performance reporting by TSPs, reducing the compliance burden.

    Given the scale and size of the network being built for the rollout of 5G services, as well as the important use cases being developed by various industry verticals, Trai requested that TSPs implement systems for internal QoS monitoring by TSPs on a 24×7 and 360-degree basis. It was also suggested that network features be used in accordance with standards, and that Al/ ML techniques be used for QoS monitoring and management.

    Trai has also asked TSPs to implement two directives issued by Trai on 16 February, 2023, in a timely manner. These two directives were issued to combat some telemarketers’ misuse of principal entity (PE) headers and message templates, as well as messages from unauthorised or unregistered telemarketers, including telemarketers using telephone numbers.

    Reduce unwanted calls from registered telemarketers or 10-digit phone numbers and place them on the DLT platform for management and monitoring.

  • Broadcasters threaten to disconnect their services on large cable platforms

    Mumbai : The cable operators have refused to sign the agreement put out by the four largest Broadcasters who are now threatening to pull out by midnight. The main DTH players have signed this agreement in support of the broadcasters.

    Some of the largest cable operators in India, including GTPL, Hathway, DEN, NXT Digital, Fastway, KCCL, Asianet and UCN among others, have not signed the agreement as a mark of protest against this unreasonable pricing by the broadcasters. Also, the LCO associations are in court fighting this unfair pricing and one of the cases comes up for hearing on the 21 February.

    The Bengal LCO association has gone to Calcutta High Court and asked for a stay on the disconnection. The Judge there has verbally told the counsels for the broadcasters to not action the disconnection as the case is posted for Tuesday. While this has been told verbally by the Court, it has not been recorded.

    The broadcasters are threatening disconnection even when there are multiple cases pending in various courts. This price rise has been implemented by the broadcasters themselves. They seem to be in a hurry to implement the revised prices which they have announced as per the Tariff Order issued by TRAI in November 2022. MSOs as well as LCOs have complained to TRAI in this regard on multiple occasions.

    When the broadcasters went to court against NTO 1, the case dragged on for nearly two years and there was no action by TRAI. It was the same scenario in 2020 when the broadcasters were in court for nearly two years. Today, when the cable operators have gone to court, TRAI is in a tearing hurry to implement the new rates and have even sent notices for compliance to them. Broadcasters have also put out no information to consumers regarding this price rise which they had done while implementing NTO 1. This time around, they are expecting LCOs and MSOs to go and confront the consumer and explain the price rise on their own.

    A substantial price impact is expected on the consumers if this goes through which will be across platforms and not just limited to cable platforms. The second aspect is that if the broadcasters go through with this disconnection i.e. stop broadcasting of their channels, there are about 30-35 mn subscribers on which the signals will not be visible which will also impact the advertisers. The advertisers already have an inventory and they will not be able to reach out to these consumers, will they get their ROI?

    Thirdly it is the consumer; today he is paying a much higher amount for a cable/DTH subscription than an OTT platform. The consumer is not aware that the channels are going to go off, as the broadcasters have given a two day notice. If the broadcaster switches off the consumer, they will come to the cable operator and question him as to why he is not getting a particular channel. This will create a huge unrest in the already frayed market.
    Lastly, there are about 2,00,000 LCOs in the country today who will be impacted if there is any decline in subscriber base. In an already declining market, this action by broadcasters may hasten the decline and result in lacs of LCOs and their employees being rendered jobless and without enough income to sustain their families.

  • Trai issues directions to access providers to stop misuse of headers and message templates

    Mumbai: To ensure that all promotional messages are sent through Registered Telemarketers (RTMs) using approved headers and message templates on the distributed ledger technologies (DLT) platform, as well as to prevent the misuse of headers and message templates, TRAI has issued two separate directions to access service providers under the Telecom commercial communication customer preference regulations, 2018, and the Telecom regulatory authority of india Act 1997.

    Some telemarketers are abusing principal entity (PE) headers and message templates, according to Trai.

    Access service providers have been directed to reverify all registered headers & message templates on DLT platform and block all unverified headers and message templates within 30 and 60 days respectively.

    They are also needed to ensure that temporary headers are deactivated immediately after the time duration for which such headers were created.

    They should ensure that content variables in message templates do not have flexibility to insert undesired contents. Entities involved in message transmission should be clearly identifiable and tracked, if required.

    They need to remove confusions among recipients of messages and prevent their misuse, no Look-alike headers (headers which are similar by virtue of combination of small case or large case letters) are to be registered by access providers in names of different principal entities.

    To curb messages from unauthorised or unregistered telemarketers, including telemarketers using telephone numbers, Access providers have been directed to bar all Telemarketers, who are not registered on distributed ledger technologies (DLT) platform from handling the message template  scrubbing and delivery of messages to recipients through Access Providers’ network

    They need to ensure that promotional messages are not transmitted by unregistered telemarketers or telemarketers using telephone numbers (10 digits numbers)

    They shoul take action against all such erring telemarketers as per the provisions of the regulations and also initiate actions as per relevant legal laws. The Access Service Provider shall also notify details of such Telemarketers to other Access Providers, who shall, in turn, bar these entities from sending any kind of commercial communications through their networks.

    All the telecom service providers have been directed to comply with the above directions within thirty days.

  • Trai releases consultation paper on ‘Introduction of digital connectivity infrastructure provider authorisation under Unified Licence’

    Mumbai: As it emphasises the significance of “strong” digital connectivity in economic development, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) on Thursday started stakeholder discussions on the introduction of the “Digital Connectivity Infrastructure Provider” authorisation under single licencing.

    The regulator stated this while releasing its most recent consultation paper for stakeholder views. “Digital connectivity infrastructure plays a vital and leading role in the successful implementation of various government schemes under Digital India, Make in India, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, and the development of smart cities,” it said.

    The recently deployed 5G network, according to Trai , would turn India into a broadband superhighway and strengthen the socioeconomic fabric of the nation.

    It is imperative that new players are encouraged through conducive licencing framework for creation of active and passive infrastructure, it added. “Trai released the consultation paper on 9 February on ‘Introduction of Digital Connectivity Infrastructure Provider Authorisation under Unified Licence,” the regulator said in a statement.

    Views on a variety of topics have been solicited. Stakeholder feedback has been invited on the proposed DCIP authorization, as well as the terms, conditions, and scope of such authorisation. Trai has inquired about any potential issues or roadblocks in the migration of IP-I (Infrastructure Provider) registered entities to the proposed DCIP authorisation under UL. It explains what these issues are and what migratory guidelines should be implemented.

    “What measures should be taken to ensure that DCIP Licensee lease/rent/sell their infrastructure to eligible service providers (that is DCI items, equipment, and system) on a fair, non-discriminatory, and transparent manner throughout the agreed period,” according to another question posed by Trai in the consultation paper.

    Trai has also invited feedback from stakeholders on how to ensure that DCIPs lease/rent/sell DCI items, equipment, and systems within the limits of their designed network and capacity, so that service delivery is not jeopardised at the expense of other eligible service providers.

    Stakeholders have been asked to submit written comments on the consultation paper by 9 March, as well as counter-comments by 23 March.

  • Trai seeks comments on the consultation paper on ‘Issues related to FM Radio broadcasting’

    Mumbai : The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has released a consultation paper on “Issues related to FM Radio broadcasting”.

     The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has requested recommendations from the Authority under Section 1 1(1)(a) of the TRAI Act, 1997, on the following issues in its references dated 11 May , 2022:

    •     Remove the linkage to Non-Refundable One Time Entry Fee (NOTEF) in the formula for annual fee as prescribed in the FM Ph-Ill Policy Guidelines dated 25 July 2011.
    •     Extend the existing FM license period of 15 years by 3 years.

    In order to discuss various issues related to FM Radio broadcasting, the Authority held a meeting with representatives of AROI on 5 August 2022.

    Representatives of AROI, inter-alia, raised the following issues for consideration of the Authority:

    •     Permitting private FM Radio channels to broadcast independent news bulletins
    •     Availability of FM Radio Receivers in Mobile Handsets

    Accordingly, this consultation paper has been prepared to seek the comments/views of the stakeholders on the issues related to FM Radio broadcasting.

    The stakeholders can submit written comments on the consultation paper by 9 March 2023. Counter comments are submitted by 23 March 2023

  • Indian telecom services performance indicator report for the quarter July-September 2022

    Mumbai: Telecom Regulatory Authority Of India (Trai)  has released the “Indian Telecom Services Performance Indicator Report” for the Quarter ending  September 30, 2022. 

    This Report provides a broad perspective of the telecom services in India and presents the key parameters and growth trends of the telecom services as well as cable TV, DTH & radio broadcasting services in India for the period covering  July 1 2022 to September 30, 2022 compiled mainly on the basis of information furnished by the service providers. 

    The total number of Internet subscribers increased from 836.86 million at the end of June 2022 to 850.95 million at the end of September 2022, representing a 1.68 per cent quarterly growth rate.

    There are 30.82 million wired internet subscribers and 820.13 million wireless internet subscribers out of 850.95 million internet subscribers.

    The Internet subscriber base is made up of 815.93 million broadband Internet subscribers and 35.01 million narrowband Internet subscribers.

    By the end of September 2022, there were 815.93 million broadband Internet subscribers, up 1.87 per cent from 800.94 million at the end of June 2022. 

    From 35.92 million at the end of June 2022 to 35.01 million at the end of September 2022, the narrowband Internet user base decreased by 2.52 per cent .

    At the end of September 2022, there were 26.47 million wireline customers, up from 25.57 million at the end of June 2022. This represents a quarterly growth rate of 3.54 percent and an annual growth rate of 14.43 per cent.

    With a quarterly growth rate of 3.31 percent, wireline tele-density climbed from 1.86 percent at the end of June 2022 to 1.92 per cent at the end of September 2022.

    When comparing QE June 2022 to QE September 2022, the monthly average revenue per user (ARPU) for cellular services increased by 2.81 per cent, from Rs 133.55 to Rs 137.31. The monthly ARPU for wireless service climbed by 26.96 per cent  on a year over year basis this quarter.

    While the monthly ARPU for prepaid services rose from Rs 128.61 in QE June 2022 to Rs 132.91 in QE September 2022, the monthly ARPU for postpaid services fell from Rs 197.55 in QE June 2022 to Rs 192.50 in QE September 2022.

    On average across all of India, the monthly MOU per subscriber fell from 914 in QE June 2022 to 894 in QE September 2022, a 2.14 per cent decline.

    Monthly Prepaid MOU subscribers fell from 936 in QE June 2022 to 920 in QE September 2022. Additionally, the monthly Postpaid MOU per subscriber fell from 621 in QE June 2022 to 567 in QE September 2022.

    For the Q.E. September 2022, the telecom service sector’s gross revenue (GR), applicable gross revenue (ApGR) and adjusted gross revenue (AGR) were respectively Rs 83,767 crore, Rs 74,713 crore, and Rs 61,981 crore, respectively. When compared to the prior quarter, GR climbed by 9.63 per cent , ApGR increased by 1.24 per cent , and AGR increased by 2.40 per cent  in Q.E. September 22.

    AGR and GR both increased year over year in Q.E. September 2022 compared to the same quarter in the previous year by 15.83 per cent  and 24.47 per cent , respectively.

    There were 1,171.92 million telephone users in India at the end of September 2022, down from 1,172.96 million at the end of June 2022, representing a reduction of 0.09 per cent from the previous quarter.

    This represents a 1.45 per cent  Year On Year (Y-O-Y) drop rate compared to the same quarter the previous year. Additionally, India’s overall tele-density fell from 85.13 per cent in QE June 2022 to 84.86 per cent in QE September 2022.

    Telephone subscribers in urban areas increased from 649.09 million at the end of June 2022  to 651.61 million at the end of September 2022 however, urbanteledensity decreased from 134.72 per cent  to 134.62 per cent  during the same period. 

    Rural telephone subscribers decreased from 523.27 million at the end of June 2022  to 520.30 million at the end of September 2022 and rural Tele-density also decreased from 58.46 per cent  to 58.01 per cent  during the same period. 

    Out of the total subscription, the share of rural subscription decreased from 44.66 per cent  at the end of June 2022  to 44.40 per cent  at the end of September 2022 

    The overall wireless subscriber base fell from 1,147,39 million at the end of June 2022 to 1,145,45 million at the end of September 2022, representing a reduction rate of 0.17 per cent over the prior quarter, due to a net loss of 1.94 million members during the quarter.

    Wireless subscriptions declined at a rate of 1.76 per cent on a year over year basis. With a quarterly fall rate of 0.39 per cent, wireless tele density fell from 83.27 per cent at the end of June 2022 to 82.94 per cent at the end of September 2022.

    The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has granted permission for uplinking alone, downlinking only or both uplinking and downlinking for a total of about 885 private satellite TV stations.

    Out of the 872 allowed satellite TV channels that are accessible for downlinking in India, according to the reporting completed by broadcasters in accordance with the Tariff Order dated  March 3, 2017, as amended, 353 satellite pay TV channels will be available as of September 30, 2022. 254 of the 353 pay channels on satellite TV are standard definition, while 99 are high definition.

    Indian DTH (direct-to-home) services have seen amazing growth since the DTH industry was introduced in the year 2003. In the country on September 30, 2022, there were 4 pay DTH service providers.

    As of QE 30 September 2022, Pay DTH had approximately 65.58 million total active subscribers. This is in addition to the DD Free Dish subscribers (free DTH services of Doordarshan).