Telcos across India are struggling to build the infrastructure necessary to support the booming broadband industry in the country, as demand for internet-enabled devices like smart phones and tablets continues to grow.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) last week issued a notice to the telecom companies to submit detailed reports on how they plan to scale up their infrastructure for the burgeoning internet economy.
The TRAI also warned that any delay in providing the required infrastructure could result in a “major impact on the functioning of the market”.
But many of the companies that are not yet ready to build out a robust internet infrastructure have started laying out plans to take advantage of the fast-growing market.
The TRAID has issued notices to several telcos and companies to identify how they are building their networks, and the telcos are now sharing the information with their respective customers and stakeholders.
For instance, Reliance Communications has identified four major steps that it will take to get broadband to all of its customers in the next 18 months: build an internet network with fibre optic cables and connect them to the telco’s network, install fibre-optic cable to connect the network to the Internet and make sure the fibre is working properly.
Kazir Ali, CEO of Reliance Networks, said: It is a very challenging task for any telco.
We are working hard to improve our network.
We have a number of options available to us, including using fibre-to-the-home, fibre-through-the roof, fibre to the home, fibre through the roof, fiber to the premises, fibre backhaul.
But it will not be easy to build a fully functional network.
If we cannot provide fibre to all our customers, we will have to take drastic measures, like increasing the number of customers or deploying fibre to premises or even fibre backhoes.
TELCO HIGHLIGHTS TO BUILD INDEPENDENT NETWORKS: 1.
Provide fibre-coaxial to connect internet connections to all telcos.
2.
Build an internet backbone that can handle high-bandwidth traffic.
3.
Build a network that is flexible enough to handle low-bandflow traffic and will allow for easy connectivity for all customers.
4.
Install fibre-networking infrastructure at the end of the telcom cable that will be used for internet.
5.
Build a network of internet switches that will help to connect all the different devices that can be connected to the internet.
The telcos will also be required to provide data connectivity in case there is a data blackout.
Telcos have also been asked to set up a national internet plan to provide a transparent and timely service, to help people in rural and remote areas get internet access. “
If the telks do not do their part, then the TRAIC has the right to cancel licences and demand compensation,” the TRAI said.
Telcos have also been asked to set up a national internet plan to provide a transparent and timely service, to help people in rural and remote areas get internet access.
On the other hand, some of the large telcos, like Reliance Industries, have said that they are working on the infrastructure, and that they will build the networks.
But these telcos have not set up their own plans for the infrastructure.
The TRAIF also asked telcos in rural areas to identify their infrastructure plans, which they will also need to follow.
