After Jio’s free offers, TRAI initiates consultation on network testing before commercial launch
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
May 20, 2017
After Reliance Jio enrolled lakhs of subscribers during its test phase, TRAI has been asked by the government to come up with a framework for the testing phase of new mobile operators.
It is common for most Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) to use test SIM cards to check the quality of service and network before the commercial launch of services. This is done to confirm to the standards & regulations on quality of service as laid down by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). But neither extensive discussions were held nor testing standards were laid down in the past. This has changed with the introduction of Reliance Jio, who enrolled lakhs of customers free of cost. Following this, many existing TSPs have requested TRAI to take a look at this issue as they were of the opinion that it is an unfair trade practice. Following the representation, TRAI has now floated a consultation paper on ‘Network Testing before Commercial Launch of Services’.
Are there any existing rules for testing?
Department of Telecom (DoT) issued a circular in 2005 on ‘subscriber base methodology’. This circular stipulates that test SIM cards are those SIMs that are given free of cost to Business Partners including roaming operators to check the Quality of Service from time to time.
But there are no other guidelines on testing of network, time-line of testing, acquisition of subscribers during test-phase, limit on number of SIM cards that can be issued etc.
In the past, the TSPs were following erstwhile practices of BSNL and test SIM Cards were issued by such licensees to check the quality of network. No time limit was set for the test phase.
So why now?
After Reliance Jio rolled out free SIM cards to lakhs of customers during its test phase, the existing operators sent a representation to the government alleging that Jio was following an unfair trade practice.  In their representation, they mentioned the following reasons.
Jio on its part contended that LTE/ VoLTE is a new technology and its throughputs are highly dependent on Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) and hence such test trials are necessary estimate optimal network parameters in loaded condition.
The government had asked TRAI to discuss the issue in detail and suggest a framework. It is in this context that TRAI has floated the consultation paper.
What is the consultation about?
In the consultation paper, TRAI has listed the following issues for consultation.
TRAI has invited comments with any additional suggestions to be sent by 12th June. Comments or counter comments can be posted on the TRAI website. The comments can also be sent on email to advmn@trai.gov.in
Featured Image: Reliance Jio free offers