The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has directed cell carriers to show geospatial protection maps on their web sites, exhibiting the geographical areas the place they supply wi-fi voice and broadband providers. This mandate is a part of TRAI’s revised High quality of Service (QoS) Rules for telecom operators which have come into power on October 1, 2024 and goals to empower shoppers by serving to them make knowledgeable decisions when choosing a telecom service.
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Geospatial Protection Maps
In keeping with TRAI, the rules mandate that “Each service supplier offering entry service (wi-fi) shall publish on its web site the service sensible geospatial protection maps in such a way and format, as could also be directed by the Authority now and again, for the geographical areas the place wi-fi voice or wi-fi broadband service is out there for subscription by shoppers.”
“Data on cell community protection is vital from the angle of QoS. One can’t count on good QoS in a non-coverage space, and the provision of a service-wise geospatial protection map on a service supplier’s web site will assist shoppers make knowledgeable selections,” TRAI mentioned in an accompanying annexure to its directive to operators, issued Friday.
In keeping with TRAI, these tips are issued to allow uniformity and transparency in publication of community protection maps by telecom service suppliers (TSPs) offering entry (wi-fi) service.
The regulator has directed all service suppliers providing wi-fi entry providers to publish service-wise (2G/ 3G/ 4G/ 5G) geospatial protection maps on their web sites for the geographical areas the place wi-fi voice or wi-fi broadband service is out there for subscription by shoppers.
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Protection Map Availability
The rules added that if, in any space, protection (higher than prescribed threshold restrict) of all applied sciences ie. 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G is out there, the unified protection map ought to present the realm as coated with 5G. The show of cell or base station places is non-compulsory.
Additional, telcos are required to satisfy the benchmark of QoS parameter, particularly, “Availability of service-wise geospatial protection map on a service supplier’s web site for proportion of working cells (benchmark > 99 %)” efficient from April 1, 2025.
As per TRAI’s directive, service suppliers should show their community protection maps primarily based on precise measurement (bodily or by community analytics) or utilizing industry-standard prediction methodology. “The cell protection of respective expertise (2G/ 3G/ 4G/ 5G) shall be offered on the protection map within the prescribed color scheme, having the minimal prescribed sign energy (measured open air),” it added.
TRAI’s tips additionally present technology-wise minimal sign energy for use for exhibiting outer boundaries of community protection.
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Protection Maps Ought to Be As much as Date
To supply up-to-date standing of cell protection to the purchasers, TRAI has instructed cell operators to recurrently replace shoppers on the standing of their cell protection ranges. It has additionally mandated that telecom firms hold their protection maps present, notably when there are vital adjustments in cell protection inside a Licensed or Authorised Service Space (LSA) community.
Service suppliers ought to publish the date of the final replace on their respective protection map, in line with TRAI guideline’s. TRAI has additionally requested the cell operators to make sure that a “hyperlink for protection map (with appropriate emblem) be supplied on ‘Residence’ or touchdown web page of the service suppliers’ web site at a distinguished location for single-click navigation to make sure ample visibility and ease of entry for customers. As well as, a tab particularly ‘Protection map’, needs to be supplied prominently within the navigation bar of the web site.
Shopper Suggestions
TRAI has additionally requested telcos to make sure that customers have the choice to offer suggestions or problem community protection indicated on the map or report a problem noticed in protection by a suggestions button on the map. “Person suggestions needs to be considered throughout optimisation of the community and protection maps could also be revised within the subsequent cycle if required,” TRAI tips mentioned.
International Traits
It added that service supplier can lengthen the provision of their protection maps on their cell apps, each for Android or iOS units. Globally, many nations have launched geospatial cell and fixed-line service protection maps for the advantage of shoppers.
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Airtel Open Community
This isn’t one thing new for Indian clients. As a part of Mission Leap, launched in 2015 to construct a very clear community, Airtel launched India’s first Open Community in June 2016, giving clients entry to tower maps, weak spots, robust zones, and extra. As a part of the initiative, Airtel opened up community info for purchasers to report protection gaps so the telco might enhance protection and ship an enhanced expertise.
