The Hindu Business Line : TRAI not keen to press for last mile unbundling

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd's turf may be protected when it comes to broadband, with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India under the new Chairman not in favour of pressing for unbundling of the state-owned company's last mile anymore.

Mr Nripendra Misra, Chairman, TRAI, told Business Line that though the TRAI would not change its earlier recommendations urging the government to unbundle the last mile copper, the growth of the broadband segment was not dependent on it.

"Now there is almost a universal recognition that for broadband, copper is not the only solution. Even if all the copper were to be used we would reach only 5 million subscribers. So we have to look at wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi for propagating broadband services.

"Private operators have already taken up the challenge and are charting out their own roadmap without depending on BSNL's copper. But at the same time,I cannot disassociate myself from the earlier recommendations of the TRAI," Mr Misra said in an exclusive interview with Business Line.

While the TRAI had repeatedly recommended the government to unbundle the last mile, the Ministry of Communication is not in favour of it.

Unbundling the last mile would enable smaller operators to ride on BSNL's nationwide copper network to offer broadband services.

Mr Misra also said that the TRAI's primary effort would be to formulate regulations that would speed up the growth in the telecom sector to achieve the targets set by the Government and address various issues that concern the consumer including appointing an ombudsman by the operators to address consumer complaints.

On the issue of carrier access codes which will allow subscribers to choose their long distance operator, Mr Misra said that the system was still relevant despite competition in the long distance segment.

The TRAI is also gearing up to meet the challenges arising out of new technologies and servicessuch as IPTV (Internet Protocol Television).

"We have done some preliminary study on IPTV and we shall take a view on it within the next few weeks.

Whether IPTV is in the domain of the broadcasters oi it is a part of the telecom operator's licence, IPTV is a reality that will be on offer for consumers very soon," said Mr Misra.

More Stories on : Regulatory Bodies & Rulings | Broadband

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
India, Germany to co-operate in N-power, space

Gold rally may continue in domestic market

Watch for low-pressure area extended

Adlabs to demerge FM radio business

Education loans: `Parents must co-borrow'

IT sector set to hire at scorching pace

Sensex may consolidate around current levels

TRAI not keen to press for last mile unbundling

Govt to crack down on illegal post entering the country

`Software, ITES export up 36.4 pc '