Business   

‘Ensure spectrum availability for 3G’

NEW DELHI: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has asked the Government to ensure availability of spectrum for 3G (third generation) and WiMAX and expedite decision on its recommendations on mechanism and pricing of radio frequency to boost deployment of broadband wireless access in the country.

In its final recommendations to the Government on “Growth of Broadband” issued on Wednesday, TRAI observed that though the Government announced the Broadband Policy in 2004, the growth of broadband has been slow and “below expected level”. The Government has set a target of having two-crore broadband connections by 2010, with the present number being at 30-lakh broadband subscribers.

“Spectrum for 3G and WiMAX should be made available at the earliest to boost the deployment of broadband using these technologies,” it said, adding that the Government should ensure availability of more number of Ku band transponders to roll-out broadband services through the Direct-to-Home (DTH) platform, while cable TV operators should also be encouraged to provide broadband through their network.

To increase the competition to provide broadband in rural areas, TRAI has asked the Government to identify more than two service providers which seek the minimum subsidy and with an obligation to rollout the services.

State-owned telecom companies — Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited — should be encouraged to appoint franchisees for providing broadband services to supplement their efforts.

“Any procedural restrictions or limitations should be addressed immediately. The Telecom Engineering Centre should undertake certification of different the customer-premises equipment (CPEs) model for interoperability for provisioning of the broadband. All CPEs conforming to specifications for interoperability should be displayed on TEC website,” it added.

TRAI has also suggested that the Universal Service Obligation (USO) fund should be utilised to provide subsidy for providing broadband services through satellite in remote and hilly areas.

USO funds can also be used to subsidise backhaul charges initially for three years. Backhaul services allow telecommunications carriers and Internet service providers to aggregate data (such as Internet traffic and phone calls) to a centralised location in a town or region, then connect that location to even bigger sites (hubs) such as Delhi.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Short-selling by FIs, MFs allowed from February 1
Sensex, Nifty scale new peaks
OVL, Hindujas to tie up
‘Ensure spectrum availability for 3G’
Corporation Bank targets Rs. 1 lakh crore business
Sops for grid interactive solar plants
Industrialist Sadhan Dutt passes away
RIL, GAIL on hunt for petro hub
Rupee edges down
Exchange Rates
Bullion Rates
FM to meet PSB chiefs on Friday
Realty meet from Jan. 7
Steel majors raise HR coil prices
‘Review duty on CRGO steel’
TVS Motor’s exports double in December
Hyundai Motor sales up 9.2 p.c.
Ranbaxy to market cetirizine in U.S.
Avesthagen becomes a limited company
Bajaj Allianz infuses fresh capital
Sonata Software adds new client
Salem Steel implements CSR initiatives
Zicom appoints senior team members

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu