"TRAI Seeks Industry Input on Repealing Regulations for Dial-Up and Leased Line Internet Access Services"

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) announced its intention to revoke the regulations governing the quality of service for dial-up and leased line internet access services. In a statement released on Monday, the sector regulator revealed that it seeks the opinion of industry experts on this matter. Stakeholders in the industry have until April 17 to provide their views.

According to TRAI, these regulations were initially implemented when dial-up service was the primary means of accessing low-speed internet. However, with the advancement of telecommunication networks, both wireline and wireless technologies such as xDSL, FTTH, and LTE now offer high-speed broadband services.

TRAI emphasized that current leased line access services are provided under service level agreements that already include provisions to address concerns about service quality. Taking these factors into account, TRAI plans to repeal the Regulation on quality of service of dial-up and leased line internet access service from 2001 (4 of 2001). The repeal will come into effect upon its notification in the Official Gazette.

The regulation, which was introduced in December 2010, applies to all basic service providers, including state-owned companies like Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL, which has since merged into BSNL). It establishes standards for network performance by ensuring proper network dimensioning, periodic measurement of service quality, and comparison against specified norms.