The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) on Monday floated a consultation paper seeking stakeholders’ comments on improving quality of services for mobile telephone calls and internet use within buildings.
In its consultation paper, the sectoral regulator has sought views on whether there is indeed a need to discuss the mode of improving access to mobile phone calls and data usage within a building, or whether the market could take care of the issue without any need for a policy or a guideline. The regulator also sought suggestions on improving in-building coverage in places such as residential or commercial complexes, airports, hotels and multiplexes, and whether telecom operators should be allowed to share infrastructure in such places where networks are strained leading to call drops, and slow internet speeds.
Apart from these two pointers, Trai has also sought the stakeholders suggestions on the best practices adopted in other countries which could be incorporated in the National Buildings Code, the central legislation that mandates buildings in the country.
The consultation paper comes at a time when the regulator is trying to address the issue of increasing call drops and slower internet access on mobile phone networks through regulatory interventions. Trai’s move to mandate a compensation for call drops to consumers by the operators was struck down by the Supreme Court last month.