Trai seeks to set average data speeds, 1-year validity for data plans

Telecom regulator TRAI on Wednesday said that it was going to float a consultation paper on new service quality norms for wireless data in a month which would look at setting average data speeds that telcos have to offer to customers with the aim of offering better surfing speeds on mobile phones.

Earlier, the regulator had issued quality of service benchmarks for wireless data in 2014 and had asked telcos to indicate minimum speed, but telecom operators complained that the "law of physics" does not guarantee minimum speed that they can provide to consumers.

"Now, we are saying that if you cannot provide minimum speed of data, then at least average speed can be assured. In the consultation paper, we will discuss what can be the average criteria," Trai Chairman RS Sharma was quoted as saying to Economic Times.

"We will issue a consultation paper soon to fix quality of service benchmark for wireless data," Sharma added.

Meanwhile, the regulator has also proposed to increase validity of mobile recharge voucher for internet services from maximum of 90 days to 365 days to enhance usage by marginal consumers.

"After examination of various aspects of the issue, the Authority feels a longer validity of 365 days instead of the current 90 days could be beneficial for marginal consumers, first-time users and price-sensitive consumers," Telecom Regulatory Authority of India said in a statement.

At present a company can issue recharge voucher which can be valid for maximum of 90 days. If a consumer has failed to consume mobile internet data quantity purchased through the voucher then the unused data lapses.

The regulator said that it has received requests seeking longer validity for data-packs primarily to address the concern of marginal consumers of wireless Internet who prefer lower denomination data packs with longer validity.

The regulator has sought comments from public on the proposal by July 26 on proposed amendment in existing rules.

(with agency inputs)