Telecom operators have requested the sector regulator TRAI to defer new call drop rules by six months in order to tune their networks as per the new norms.
“We have written to TRAI that give us two quarters to actually tune networks to implement the new regulation. TRAI has said that they would consider it. However, the regulator has not come back to us. It is a measurement issue. We are facing problem in getting space for installing cell towers,” COAI director general Rajan S. Mathews told reporters.
He was speaking on the sidelines of curtain raiser of the three-day industry event India Mobile Congress, starting from September 27 in Delhi.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on August 18 issued stricter version of quality of service rules which will be come into effect from October 1. Under the new rule, penalty of up to ₹10 lakh will be imposed if telecom operators fail to meet call drop benchmark and call drop will be measured at mobile tower-level instead of telecom circle.
Mobile towers
Mr. Mathews said in States like Delhi, the telecom companies have gone to court against local civic bodies to get space for mobile towers on reasonable terms. “We got permission for installing mobile towers in government premise but getting on to government land is a challenge,” Mr. Mathews said.