Greener Options

Trai missed one big opportunity to offer a helping hand in the adoption of

the much needed greener technology options by the power-crunched telcos in the

rural belt, when it submitted recommendations to improve teledensity. Usage of

green solutions to bring down energy bill and opex is on the radar of many

telcos, but regulatory support, among many other things, is limiting the

adoption. Though Trai has recognized the importance of the complex power

management in rural areas, it did not spell out means and ways (read incentives)

for wider adoption of green solutions. Most of the recommendations are directed

toward empowering USO Fund.

There may not be many takers for Trai's suggestions to have exclusive MVNOs

for rural areas. First, MVNOs focus on urban business; second, India is yet to

become a matured market for MVNOs to flourish. Stringent roll out obligations

for cellular operators never materialized in strengthening rural focus. Though

Trai is suggesting special incentives for MVNOs in rural areas, the story may

not be different. When MVNO guidelines were announced, Trai had missed

emphasizing these points. Trai's recommendation to offer support from USO Fund

to set up mobile charging facility which can work with solar power/meager power

supply at various public places is a welcome step.

Some of the remarks from Trai's outgoing chairman, Nripendra Misra, are

significant and timely since India has missed its target of achieving 180 mn

rural subscribers in 2008 (90.76 mn rural subscribers in September 2008). Out of

the total subscriber base of 400.04 mn (as on January 2009), only 27.6% is

contributed by rural India which constitutes 70% of the total population.

Current rural teledensity is 12.59 as compared to the urban teledensity of

81.38.

More telcos focused on the semi-urban and rural markets last year, yet

communications still remains a challenge for remote areas. Operators should give

priority to cover the remaining 31% of villages for mobile coverage from the

present 407,112 villages. State electricity boards should offer power supply to

rural BTSs on a priority basis. Power tariff can be made cheaper to telecom

towers as compared to commercial power. Misery will continue for 20% of the

5,93,731 inhabited villages that do not have access to electricity. On account

of lack of reliable power in rural areas there is increase in the cost of diesel

for running engine alternators for keeping exchanges, transmission equipment and

BTSs in the live conditions. Green is the best option, but the Indian government

should open up. There's a world beyond 3G and WiMax. Rural India is calling us.

Let us work together for more power, more communication, and more prosperity.

Baburajan K



baburajank@cybermedia.co.in