TRAI repeals outdated regulations for internet access services

In an effort to promote technological advancements, TRAI has repealed outdated regulations for internet access services.

In order to repeal the Regulation on quality of service of dial-up and leased line internet access service, 2001 (4 of 2001), the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) issued the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Repealing Regulations, 2023 (02 of 2023) on July 25, 2023.

According to TRAI, the goal of the 2001 rule was to establish standards for network performance by service providers, such as Basic Service Operators and Internet Service Providers, and to guarantee consumer pleasure. It was implemented to keep track of the performance levels provided by different service providers and protect the interests of internet consumers. Leading operators included BSNL, MTNL, and VSNL.

In addition, businesses are now largely offered leased line access services by Internet Gateway Service Providers (IGSPs) under Service Level Agreements (SLAs). According to TRAI, these SLAs contain requirements to assure service quality, rendering the 2001 law obsolete in the current situation.

The development of high-speed broadband services utilising cutting-edge technology like xDSL, FTTH, LTE, and 5G, however, has drastically changed the telecoms market since the Regulation's establishment. According to TRAI, these technological developments have rendered dial-up service, which the Regulation was largely focused on, outdated.

According to TRAI, it earlier announced the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Repealing Regulations, 2023, on April 3, 2023, in response to the shifting industry dynamics. To ensure thorough input from the key actors in the industry, the draught requested comments from stakeholders through April 17, 2023.

Therefore, TRAI stated that it has decided to repeal the Regulation on the quality of service of dial-up and leased line internet access service, 2001 (4 of 2001) after carefully considering the comments of stakeholders and taking into account the importance of Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) in the sector.

This choice is anticipated to simplify the regulatory landscape and ease the introduction of cutting-edge technology and high-speed internet services throughout India.

The Government has been making continued efforts to increase the country’s telecom sector’s Ease of Doing Business. The government hopes to allow more efficient operations for telecom operators.

In an effort to improve the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) in the telecom industry, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) very recently published its decision on the transfer and relocating of telecom equipment by Telecom Service Providers (TSPs).

A statement issued on Wednesday by the Ministry of Communications states that telecom companies can now complete such transfers more effortlessly, quickly and easily.