The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released a consultation paper on ‘Network testing before commercial launch of services’, following complaints by telecom operators against Reliance Jio over subscriber enrollment during its test phase prior to rolling out commercial services. “This is to discuss issues involved, possible solutions and framework to bring clarity on the matter,” said TRAI.
According to the paper, Telecom service providers (TSPs) are required to install applicable systems for providing mobile services and the systems should be tested before commencement of commercial services because a licensee has to ensure that its service meets the Quality of Service (QoS) standards prescribed by the Licensor or TRAI. Providers use test SIM Cards to check the quality of network, before the commercial launch of services.
Regarding this, TRAI said:
At present, network testing is being carried out by licensees on the basis of erstwhile practices followed by DoT/BSNL and test SIM Cards are issued by such licensees to check the quality of network, before the commercial launch of services. However, the present licenses for various services issued by DoT do not mandate any time period for network testing before commercial launch of services by the licensees. Therefore, DoT requested TRAI to provide its recommendations on testing of network before commercial launch of services including enrolment of customers for testing purposes before commercial launch, duration of testing period etc. under the terms of clause 11(l)(a) of TRAI Act 1997 as amended.
TRAI said that written comments on the consultation paper from the stakeholders should be submitted by May 29, 2017 and counter-comments by June 12, 2017.