TRAI readies guidelines

HYDERABAD: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), on Monday, said it would issue guidelines to monitor and curb unsolicited calls and messages this month. The telecom regulator also said it would strengthen the existing ‘Do Not Call’ registry and make it effective.

“We have held consultations and open house discussions. The final regulations on unsolicited commercial calls and messages will be issued during the course of this month. These guidelines will be implemented immediately,” said J S Sarma, Chairman, TRAI.

He added that ‘Do Not Call’ registry would be either strengthened or a ‘Do Call’ registry introduced to make the existing DND registry work.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of a consultative meeting with various broadband stakeholders, he said efforts were on to implement the number portability from November and the guidelines for the same are being finalised. Similarly, 3G services would be rolled out on a bigger scale starting next year.

TRAI also said the National Broadband Policy will be released in October and would focus on extending the broadband usage, particularly in rural areas.

Currently, the broadband penetration in India was just 0.74 per cent. Though initially the National Broadband Policy 2004 was targeting 20 million broadband users, so far less than 10 million were covered.  There are over 100 service providers offering services across the country.

“The idea is to create an environment for greater broadband usage. The proposed policy would review the definition of broadband, address regulatory, licencing and infrasturctural bottlenecks,” said Sarma.

He also said that a 10 per cent increase in the braodband penetration would increase GDP by 1.38 per cent and that the proposed policy was targeting to cover about 100 million users by 2014. “We also aim to cover all homes with broadband before 2020.

On the other hand, the industry felt that it was difficult to arrive at the average broadband usage as it differed by the hour and day. Lack of reliable power in rural areas was also a stumbling block for expansion of broadband services.