Broadband seems to top the agenda for TRAI in 2008. TRAI has taken several steps to improve the broadband experience for the customers ensuring quality of service, forcing operators to improve on quality. TRAI has appointed independent agencies on a zonal basis for undertaking survey and audit and assessment of quality of service provided under the basic service, cellular mobile service, and broadband service during 2008.

TRAI is also getting involved with service providers and survey/audit agencies to avoid ambiguity in understanding the procedure of survey/audit, data collection, and calculation of parameters.

One of the major recommendations put forward was regarding DTH. TRAI had the government ensure and expedite the availability of more Ku-band transponders (which can be used for TV as well as data transmission) so that DTH companies can also offer broadband services. TRAI had earlier suggested that the government should follow an open sky policy and allow DTH operators to get into long-term contracts with international satellite companies. DTH can offer a high speed of as much as 1.5 Mbps without difficulty. Given the increasing reach of DTH services in the country, this move can spell a huge jump in the number of broadband subscribers. At the same time, it will mean additional service in the DTH bouquet, which will make DTH more lucrative for the consumer and push DTH subscriber base substantially, even in non-CAS areas.

TRAI recommended that municipal committees should be encouraged to include a clause for making Multiple Dwelling Units broadband ready by adopting suitable internal wiring while giving clearance for the construction of all such buildings in the future. This will help avoid the clutter of wires in buildings

TRAI also initiated a 2 Mbps should be made the minimum broadband speed to bring it at par with international standards. According to TRAI, an increase in speed will lead to higher adoption of broadband services, as it will enable provisioning of different high-end services like IPTY live video streaming, interactive gaming and telemedicine. However, this can mean an increase in cost of owning a broadband connection also. Currently, a 256 Kbps broadband connection is available at Rs 250 a month. A connection of 2 Mbps would mean Rs 3,300 a month.

TRAI is trying to utilize all the resources available, or that can be made available, to increase the reach of these services. Allowing DTH service providers to offer broadband services is a step that must be appreciated and accepted. The regulator has suggested that operators should share infrastructure, like optical fiber ducts that are being laid across the country, to bring broadband to homes and save costs.

BSNL and MTNL should be encouraged to appoint franchisees for providing broadband services to supplement their efforts. Any procedural restrictions/limitations to be addressed immediately TEC should undertake certification of different CPEs model for interoperability for provisioning of the broadband. All CPEs conforming to specifications for interoperability should be displayed on the TEC website for the information of customers.