The Hindu Business Line : TRAI urges Govt to boost broadband growth

New Delhi, Sept. 17 The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Monday urged the Government to take urgent policy measures to boost broadband growth in the country including asking BSNL and MTNL to adopt a franchisee model whereby local players can use their copper lines to offer high speed Internet services.

In a draft recommendation for broadband growth, TRAI has expressed concern that the Government has not taken a decision on a number of suggestions the regulator had made earlier including allocating Wi-Max spectrum for wireless broadband services and making National Internet Exchange of India more effective.

“Only 0.47 million broadband subscribers have been added in first six months of 2007, which is far below the growth trend required to achieve broadband policy targets. This necessitated an analysis of regulatory & policy frameworks and to formulate new approach necessary for rapid rollout of broadband in the country,” the TRAI said.

At the end of March 2007, there are 40.57 million Internet users and just 2.34 million broadband subscribers. “Therefore the growth of Internet subscribers is satisfactory but we are seriously lagging behind on broadband front. The targets fixed for the Broadband Policy are unlikely to be achieved. There are critical issues inhibiting broadband expansion in urban as well as rural areas. They need to be addressed urgently to facilitate expansion of broadband services,” TRAI said.

TRAI has suggested that Government should increase the target fixed for BSNL and MTNL for provision of broadband connections in 2007-08. “The Government should ensure availability of more number of Ku band transponders to roll out broadband services through DTH platform and utilise Universal Service Obligation (USO) fund to provide subsidy for providing broadband services through satellite in remote and hilly areas,” TRAI said.

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