TRAI Issues Draft Recommendations On Network Testing Norms For Wireline Services

Posted by TRAI

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued the draft recommendations on “Network testing before Commercial launch of services for Wireline Access Services”.

The Licensees are bound by roll-out obligations and other license conditions to provide access services. It is important that all applicable systems are tested before the commencement of commercial services as the licensee has
to ensure that its service meets the Quality of Service (QoS)standards and other conditions prescribed by the Licensor or Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).

DoT, through its letter dated 9th September 2016, communicated that 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. The present licences for various services issued by DoTdo not prescribe any time period for network testing before commercial launch of services by the
licensees. Therefore, DoT requested the Authority 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. After a due consultation process, TRAI has issued its recommendations on 04.12.2017.

DoT vide letter no 20-577/2016-AS-I dated 09.10.2018 specified the norms for Network testing before launch of commercial services based on TRAI recommendations dated 04.12.2017. These norms were made applicable for mobile services only.

DoT vide letter no 20-577/20 16-AS-I dated 16.07.2019, communicated to TRAI that the Government has accepted the TRAI’s recommendations on “Network Testing before Commercial Launch of Services” and it has been decided
that TRAImay be requested to give similar recommendations for Wireline Access Services. DoT has requested that recommendations on Network testing before commercial launch of wireline Access Services may be provided as per clause l1(l)(a) ofTRAI Act 1997 as amended byTRAI amendment Act 2000.

Most of the issues raised during the consultation process for the norms for network testing before commercial launch for mobile services, are equally applicable for wireline access services. However, as per the reference received
from DoT, this Consultation Paper on draft recommendations is issued to solicit the views of the stakeholders for specifying the norms of Network Testing before commercial launch of services for wireline access services.―CT Bureau