Trai extends feedback deadline on network quality paper

KOLKATA: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has for a second time extended the deadlines for stakeholder comments and counter-comments on its discussion paper on reviewing quality of network-related services, which recently revived the debate on penalties for call drops.

Trai has now sought comments on the consultation paper by September 30 and counter-comments by October 7. It had originally sought such submissions by August 26 and September 2 respectively, and extended the deadlines to September 16 and September 23 on industry request.

"On further requests from stakeholders, the last date for receipt of written comments is once again extended by two more weeks to Septrmber 30, and counter comments by October 7," Trai said on Monday.

In its paper, Trai had sought stakeholder views on several aspects of quality of service, including the appropriateness of calculating call drops rate through metadata analysis of call detail records, and calculation methods for such a benchmark.

It had also asked whether the call drop rate should be calculated at the base station or service area level, and even sought telcos’ views on creating a customer satisfaction index to improve user experience.

Trai had also cited a Supreme Court’s observation to back its move, saying that under the Trai Act, it can ensure telcos provide funds needed to develop infrastructure and deal with them to protect the interests of consumers.