Reply recieved from TRAI for RTI application filed on 6th November

I got a reply from TRAI yesterday; unfortunately, I couldn't get the letter scanned and I shall put that up soon. Three things have become apparent:1) The "minimum" definition of broadband has been adopted by TRAI as defined by ITU. As of now, there is no consensus of the definition; I shall explore this on my blog. 2) There is no provision of fair usage policy; nor "unlimited internet" as defined by TRAI. Hence, anything which is marketed as "unlimited internet" is ILLEGAL. Further, if we expand the definition of Internet access, there is NO meaning of "capped broadband" either- this is not defined by TRAI. Therefore marketed plans are ILLEGAL and there is NO sanction from the regulator with regards to various "limited" or "unlimited" plans on offer. 3) In it's RTI reply, TRAI has clearly mentioned that it has NO role in deciding the tariffs; instead, the companies have to file their tariffs plans with the regulator 5 days in advance (as per some frigging tariff order). It means that regulator is doing NOTHING to "regulate" the prices because it is not acting against the established oligopolies and NOT in the consumer interest. Neither it answered my SPECIFIC query as to how a company like Airtel has arrived at a price point to charge me 1500 bucks for "unlimited" 1 Mbps connection. As a regulator, it SHOULD have a clear cut idea as to why the company is doing what it is doing so. I am filing an appeal with the Appellate Authority to clarify such issues. In case no further response is forthcoming, I can always escalate the matter to the Information Commissioner to seek relief. My long term plan is to make the broadband affordable, within reach and atleast bare minimum 2 Mbps for all which is affordable and within reach. I also need to know as to WHY the "MINIMUM defintion of ITU of Broadband" has been adopted. In the RTI reply, TRAI has CLEARLY mentioned that THERE IS NO PROVISION OF REVISION OF BROADBAND speeds. So any hopes for a "broadband nirvana" are useless. We all have to ACT together to make things happen.

That's some information! Thanks for sharing Abhishek. Inspite of the RTI, I never really felt that the govt offices would bother giving explanations!

😡😡😡How can I help?

Considering the speeds of other countries in Asia and europe, I really wonder where we standFASTEST BROADBAND NATIONSJapan - top advertised speed 1GbpsFinland - 110MbpsSweden - 100MbpsKorea - 100MbpsIceland - 100MbpsFrance - 100MbpsDenmark - 100MbpsNetherlands - 60MbpsUnited States - 50MbpsSpain - 50MbpsI guess we might be just one position over our neighbours....

Considering the speeds of other countries in Asia and europe, I really wonder where we stand

FASTEST BROADBAND NATIONS
Japan - top advertised speed 1Gbps
Finland - 110Mbps
Sweden - 100Mbps
Korea - 100Mbps
Iceland - 100Mbps
France - 100Mbps
Denmark - 100Mbps
Netherlands - 60Mbps
United States - 50Mbps
Spain - 50Mbps

I guess we might be just one position over our neighbours....

Not above SriLanka.

The reply from the appellate authority is still awaited. They didn't reply to the earlier RTI properly.

Good job man carry on

Not above SriLanka.

Are fastest is 16MBPS. How much is Sri Lanka's?