New Delhi: TRAI Repealing Regulations, 2023 (02 of 2023) dated 25 July 2023, published in the Official Gazette on 30th July 2023, repeal the Regulation on quality of service of dial-up and leased line internet access service, 2001 (4 of 2001) with effect from 1st August 2023.
On December 10, 2001, the TRAI notified the Regulation on the quality of service of dial-up and leased line internet access service, 2001 (4 of 2001), which was applicable to all Basic Service Operators (BSOs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs), including the incumbent operators, such as BSNL, MTNL, and VSNL. The regulation aimed to ensure that BSOs and ISPs provided their customers with the best possible service and to address any issues that may arise.
The purpose of establishing Quality of Service Parameters was to ensure customer satisfaction by setting standards for network performance. These standards are achieved through proper network dimensioning by the service provider. Regular measurements of the Quality of Service are conducted and compared against the specified norms, allowing for the monitoring of performance levels provided by different service providers. This helps protect the interests of Internet service subscribers.
The existing regulations were established during a time when the sole means of accessing low-speed internet was through dial-up service. However, with the advancement of telecommunications networks, both wired and wireless technologies such as xDSL, FTTH, LTE, and 5G, have emerged, offering high- speed broadband services. In contrast, leased line access services, which are typically provided by Internet Gateway Service Providers (IGSPs) holding an ISP license, are based on Service Level Agreements (SLAs). This SLA-based approach includes sufficient provisions to address concerns regarding service quality, making the 2001 regulation on the quality of dial-up and leased line internet access services no longer relevant in today’s context.
In consideration of the preceding information, the Authority previously released a draft of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Repealing Regulations, 2023 on April 03, 2023, inviting stakeholders to provide comments until April 17, 2023. After reviewing the stakeholders’ feedback and taking into account the aspect of Ease of Doing Business (EoDB), the Authority has decided to revoke the Regulation on the quality of service of dial-up and leased line internet access service, 2001 (4 of 2001) starting from the date of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Repealing Regulations, 2023 (02 of 2023) as published in the Official Gazette.
