Trai for easy access to fast Net on mobiles

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has recommended that strings such as #, $ and others be permitted for accessing high-speed data services in wireless networks.

This is because most operators providing services through wireless-based networks had expressed their inability to provide internet access by dialing 172xxx as per the provision of National Numbering Plan 2003 pertaining to dial up internet access due to technical non-feasibility, the Trai said.

At present, subscribers who use CDMA handsets in the country are already being provided high-speed internet service by keying in #777, while GSM customers use $99 and *99 as a standard feature. The National Numbering Plan 2003 is silent on the usage of such strings to indicate the option for higher speed internet service.

Trai said, "It is found that the strings used for keying in service option are the integral part of the handset and are not transmitted further to the network. Also, it is felt that if the use of such strings in both GSM and CDMA networks is not allowed, the customers of these networks will be deprived of access to high-speed always on internet services."