Trai's app to check data speed on handsets; new QoS norms soon

In a bid to improve the quality of data service for Indian mobile users, telecom regulator Trai today launched an application to help consumers check real-time Internet speed on their handsets and report the same to the regulator.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) will use the data collected from subscribers to fix new quality of service (QoS) norms for which the process will start in a month or so.
"We will start the consultation process soon to fix the quality of service benchmark for wireless data. Through the application (Trai Myspeed App), we will get real-time data from customers. This will be put on Trai Analytics Portal. It will show mobile data speed of each operator in a given area on a real-time basis," Trai Chairman R S Sharma said here.

In 2014, Trai had issued norms under which it asked telecom operators to indicate minimum download speed that can be provided to consumers. However, telecom operators have complained to the regulator that as per 'law of physics' they cannot ensure minimum speed.
"Now we are saying that if you cannot provide minimum speed of data then, at least, average speed can be assured. We will discuss what can be the average criteria," Sharma said.
Pointing towards the specified norms with regard to call drops, he said, "There are no corresponding benchmark in data world which is as important as the voice world."

With the new app, consumers would be able to see data speeds and also share the information, thus bringing about "transparency" and "choice" as well as "healthy competition" in the sector.

"You promise me to take me in cab at 100 kilometres per hour and then you drive at a speed of 10 kilometre," he said.
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TRAI has asked the stakeholders to send their comments by August 26, while the deadline for counter comments is September 2.
At present, the benchmark for call drop rate is two per cent.
In order to improve the service quality provided by the telecom operators, TRAI has already prescribed financial disincentives, but there is no gradation based on extent of poor performance.

For instance, the financial disincentive for first non-compliance with the benchmark in a quarter has been fixed at Rs 1 lakh per parameter. Non-compliance with the benchmark of the same parameter consecutively in two or more quarters is up to Rs 1.5 lakh for second consecutive contravention and Rs 2 lakh for each consecutive contravention.
TRAI has also asked for public opinion on whether the telecom operators should be mandated to set radio link timeout technology (RLT) parameter.
RLT is allegedly being used for masking call drops and resulting in higher bills for subscribers.