Software giant Microsoft Corporation has urged the telecom regulator to raise the bar for offering broadband services in the country by mandating minimum speeds of 2 Mbps.
At present, telecom operators are allowed to offer Internet access at 256 kbps speed and call it broadband.
The actual speed being offered to the consumers is much lower. A 2 Mbps connection can download a 1 GB movie in one hour compared to nine hours taken by a 256 kbps line.
In response to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's (TRAI) pre-consultation paper on introducing fourth generation (4G) technology, Microsoft Corp (India) said, “The current definition of minimum 256 kbps download capacity in the last mile must be changed in two distinct aspects – firstly, the benchmark must be revised to at least 2 Mbps and secondly, it should be made less and less asymmetric as the user-generated content and other usage trends underscore such needs.”
The Redmond-based IT major has also suggested that TRAI should review the broadband speed benchmark every two years as more and newer applications continue to emerge.
OTHERS TOO SEEK
There are a number of other entities which think the minimum broadband speed should be increased. In July 2009, TRAI itself indicated that the Government should redefine broadband services.
Speaking at a telecom seminar organised by the Assocham, Dr J. S. Sarma, Chairman, TRAI, had said that while there are countries which offer speeds of over 20 Mbps, India is still stuck at 256 kbps.
Pricing concerns
However, changing the definition of broadband will have major ramifications for operators. If offering a minimum of 2 Mbps speed is made mandatory, operators will have to invest heavily in ramping up their network. The additional cost burden on the operators will be passed on to the subscribers, making broadband expensive.
We do not think it is feasible to move from 256 kbps to 2 Mbps in one shot. If at all the definition has to be revised, then they should move to 512 kbps, otherwise it will be too costly for both operators and subscribers,” said a GSM player.
Market watchers pointed out that already telecom players, including Bharti Airtel and MTNL, have started offering 512 kbps broadband speed to everyone. Though operators also offer higher speeds of over 2 Mbps, they are heavily priced, taking it beyond the reach of most consumers.
Source: Raise minimum broadband speed to 2 Mbps: Microsoft
At present, telecom operators are allowed to offer Internet access at 256 kbps speed and call it broadband.
The actual speed being offered to the consumers is much lower. A 2 Mbps connection can download a 1 GB movie in one hour compared to nine hours taken by a 256 kbps line.
In response to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's (TRAI) pre-consultation paper on introducing fourth generation (4G) technology, Microsoft Corp (India) said, “The current definition of minimum 256 kbps download capacity in the last mile must be changed in two distinct aspects – firstly, the benchmark must be revised to at least 2 Mbps and secondly, it should be made less and less asymmetric as the user-generated content and other usage trends underscore such needs.”
The Redmond-based IT major has also suggested that TRAI should review the broadband speed benchmark every two years as more and newer applications continue to emerge.
OTHERS TOO SEEK
There are a number of other entities which think the minimum broadband speed should be increased. In July 2009, TRAI itself indicated that the Government should redefine broadband services.
Speaking at a telecom seminar organised by the Assocham, Dr J. S. Sarma, Chairman, TRAI, had said that while there are countries which offer speeds of over 20 Mbps, India is still stuck at 256 kbps.
Pricing concerns
However, changing the definition of broadband will have major ramifications for operators. If offering a minimum of 2 Mbps speed is made mandatory, operators will have to invest heavily in ramping up their network. The additional cost burden on the operators will be passed on to the subscribers, making broadband expensive.
We do not think it is feasible to move from 256 kbps to 2 Mbps in one shot. If at all the definition has to be revised, then they should move to 512 kbps, otherwise it will be too costly for both operators and subscribers,” said a GSM player.
Market watchers pointed out that already telecom players, including Bharti Airtel and MTNL, have started offering 512 kbps broadband speed to everyone. Though operators also offer higher speeds of over 2 Mbps, they are heavily priced, taking it beyond the reach of most consumers.
Source: Raise minimum broadband speed to 2 Mbps: Microsoft
