Trai Seeks Views on Strengthening Service Quality Parameters

To strengthen the quality of service (QoS) standards of telecom operators, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has proposed levying a Rs. 2,00,000 fine for fourth and subsequent violations of the QoS benchmarks.

It has sought stakeholders' comments on the matter by February 13, 2015.

In the existing framework, financial disincentives of Rs. 50,000 per parameter is imposed for violation of the first instance and Rs. 1,00,000 per parameter for violation of subsequent instances for network related parameters of Cellular Mobile Telephone Services (CMTS).

In the case of customer related parameter of CMTS, the financial disincentive of Rs. 50,000 is imposed for each instance of non-compliance.

"Financial disincentive of Rs. 50,000 per parameter for the first violation, Rs. 1,00,000 per parameter for second violation, Rs. 1,50,000 for third violation and Rs. 2,00,000 for fourth and subsequent violations of the QoS benchmarks," Trai said in the proposed draft regulations for standards of QoS.

Trai said the financial disincentive for both the customer-related and network-related parameter is also proposed to be made identical.

Through these amendments, Trai said it proposes to review the framework for financial disincentives for repeated failures to the meet QoS benchmarks.

Trai said based on the analysis of performance monitoring reports for the past few quarters, it feels that there is a need to further strengthen the effectiveness of the regulation for ensuring compliance of quality parameters.

It added the proposed draft regulation could act as a deterrent against repeated non compliance with the benchmark of quality parameters.

Trai had issued the standards of QoS of basic telephone service (Wireline)and CMTS regulations on November 8, 2012 to strengthen the effectiveness and compliance of regulation by introducing financial disincentives.