TRAI keen to boost Net access

In a bid to spur growth of high speed Internet access and make TSP licence technology neutral as far as last mile access is concerned, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India on Friday recommended that operators be allowed to use any media, including copper cable, for establishing their own last mile access to customers.

TRAI's recommendation to the Department of Telecommunication is aimed at encouraging faster provision of high-speed Internet services (broadband) by standalone ISPs.

"The ISP licence agreement allows ISPs to use optic fibre and radio in the last mile but does not mention about copper cable explicitly. DSL is one of the most popular technologies for providing high-speed Internet access," a TRAI release said, adding that ISPs need to obtain copper loop from the incumbent and other fixed-line operators for this purpose.

For the ISPs to establish their own last mile on copper cable in case of non-availability of such capacities from basic service operators and other service providers, DOT's permission is required on a case to case basis.

"This involves a difficult and time consuming process, which delays the provision of high speed Internet service by ISPs to their consumers," the release said.