TRAI’s Net Agenda

Despite repeated efforts made by the government and industry, the usage of

Internet in the country is still at a dismal level. According to the Internet

Service Providers’ Association of India, the growth rate in the subscriber

base which was as high as 54% per quarter during the period April 1999 to March

2001 is on a constant decline and had fallen as low as 8-9 % in the

quarters ending June, September and December 2001. The Telecom Regulatory

Authority of India (TRAI), in a recent report, has made an attempt to address

this issue–recommending steps to drive Internet growth.

National exchange



Based on inputs from the Internet Task Force, the TRAI report suggests

setting up of the much-needed Internet Exchange Points (IXP) in the country to

be named National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) for better utilization of

International bandwidth, better service quality and as an incentive to host

Indian content in India. "The setting up of ‘NIXI’ will result in

various tangible benefits for Internet users as well as for the country. The

cost of the Internet connections and bandwidth would be reduced and quality of

service improved resulting in spread of Internet in the country and increases

customer satisfaction," says TRAI. NIXI will also result in better

infrastructure and saving of foreign exchange on international bandwidth.

Initially, four IXP nodes are being proposed–Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkatta and

Chennai–interconnected in ring architecture.

These will enable ISPs to route domestic traffic through the exchanges

instead of carrying it abroad and then back to India.

The 10-point Agenda
	Establishment of the National Internet Exchange in India for routing domestic traffic within the country
	Enhance availability of cheaper access devices and low-cost indigenous PCs as well as the Internet enabled second hand PCs.
	Policy initiatives like treating ISP services at par with telecom infrastructure, permitting co-location, bringing down capital and operation costs of ISPs to encourage the Industry as well as to benefit the users
	De-licensing of 2.4 GHz (ISM Band) for low power outdoor usage for last mile Internet
	Usage of alternative access technologies like Cable TV network and W-LANs as well as the simultaneous provision of Internet access along with voice in the local loop
	Implementation of e-governance and provision of citizen services through Internet to encourage its wider usage
	Development of portals and web-sites in local languages
	Direct access to the international submarine cable system by ISPs
	Co-location of ISP node at BSO’s premises
	Reduction in charges for Dialup Access and Internet leased lines

TRAI has also suggested that Internet service providers (ISPs) should be

allowed to directly connect to international submarine cables systems. At

present, ISPs are allowed to connect international destination only through VSNL’s

gateways.

"We pay seven to eight times more than the international tariffs for

bandwidth. TRAI recommendations, if implemented, will allow us to tie up with

other submarine cable systems," ISPAI secretary Amitabh Singhal says.

Spreading the Net



In order to make Internet access more affordable, TRAI says steps must be

taken to make cheaper access devices, like low-cost indigenous PCs. It also says

the telephone charges for using Internet should be lower. Other suggestions

include encouraging the use of alternative access technologies like Cable TV

network and W-LANs, formulating policies for implementing e-governance

applications and developing local content and portals. In order to provide

incentive to the ISPs and attract more capital investment into the sector, TRAI

also suggests bringing ISP services under the infrastructure category.

While most recommendations seem to be on the right track, there could be

hinderances in implementation. The industry, having waited for things to improve

for quite some time, can now only hope for some serious action.

SHWETA VERMA In New Delhi