In a move to enhance transparency and empower consumers, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has mandated all wireless access service providers to publish geospatial coverage maps on their websites. This directive aims to provide clear and detailed information about the availability of telecom services across India.
Under the new rules, telecom operators are required to publish maps showing the geographical areas covered by their 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G services. These maps will be available to the public on the service providers’ websites, giving consumers the ability to assess which areas are serviced by a specific network. The goal is to help consumers make informed decisions when choosing a telecom provider based on the coverage available in their locality.
This move is expected to have multiple benefits. Firstly, it will allow users to easily check the service availability before making a subscription, potentially reducing customer dissatisfaction caused by network issues. Secondly, it enhances consumer confidence in choosing providers that offer better network coverage in their areas. With access to accurate and updated information, consumers can make more informed choices based on their specific needs, such as better network speed or more reliable coverage.
The publication of these maps also adds a layer of accountability for telecom providers. By making their coverage information available to the public, they will be more transparent about their services, which could foster competition in the industry. Consumers will be able to compare the coverage of different providers in their area, making it easier for them to choose the best service for their needs.
TRAI’s directive follows a series of consultations with service providers, who were given the opportunity to submit their inputs on the format and manner of publishing these maps. The maps will now be required to be published as per the finalised guidelines, which aim to standardise the coverage information across operators.
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