TRAI Says, “Minimum Broadband Speed = 2 MBPS”
Inaccessibility to fast internet is probably the greatest problem faced by Indians. Cheap, easily accessible, fast Internet connections are a rarity in India. An associate of mine was boasting how he had downloaded around 200 GB in 4 days, all due to Wi-Fi and a dedicated internet connection of 16Mbps. This was in the USA. Here, in India, most regular users scarcely get more than a 2Mbps connection. Hence, this ruling comes like a breath of fresh air. The Hindu Business Line published this : The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today indicated that the Government should redefine broadband services making it mandatory for operators to offer at least 2Mbps speeds.
As of now, broadband speeds are still defined from 256kbps onwards. A look at MTNL’s tariff plans will show you how companies like MNTL have no major dreams of taking it further. The government has acknowledged the need for broadband, and has emphasized on the importance it has in “inclusive growth” and “rural unification”.
Speaking at a telecom seminar organized by Assocham, Dr J. S. Sarma, Chairman, TRAI, said that the target set for roll out of broadband by the Government can be achieved only if the definition of broadband is redefined and resources from USO fund are utilised.
Of course, this would imply the operators working really hard to boost up their networks. Very few operators have capacity to provide speeds higher than 2 mpbs. We’d covered Airtel’s launch of 16mbps broadband earlier, but as we commented, the rates are quite high. As of now, apart from large corporate houses and universities, very few facilities can manage access to such high speeds.
Though it will face tough lobbying from current operators who would rather prefer that the minimum standards be raised over time, the WiMax industry seems to support it. Bringing the minimum speed to 2 mpbs will also reduce the price considerably. This is a move that will definitely help internet users across India. As of now, operators offer varied plans with different speeds and download limits. Most have 2 mbps has the upper limit. Making it the lower limit will surely be a huge shift in paradigm for users – you’ll finally be able to stream a video faster than it plays.
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We have had enough of companies with Dongles advertising for super speed broadband experience on the go, who have to be taken to the cleaners.
A typical Dongle (Tata, Reliance or Airtel) cannot support download speeds of more than 5 to max 12kbps and they have been fooling the public with prononcements of speeds that are absolutely impossible on a dongle.
I think the TRAI should look into this aspect of totally false info being touted in advertisements all over the country
Thanks TRAI for fixing the standards for what can be called as Broadband. It is about time, really.
How can TRAI increase broadband penetration simply by re-defining what broadband means? If the DoT and TRAI really want to make broadband available to all, then they should auction 3G and BWA spectrum soon so that technologies like HSPA and WiMAX can be deployed. Once again, the govt seems to be caught up in the war between two technology camps, just as it happened with GSM & CDMA.
You must be kidding 2 MBPs ???? Our ISPs can’t serve 256 Kbps properly and TRAI neeed to open its eye to the reality on http://complaintbox.in/category/broadband broadbandforum.in and other sites on how patehtic ISPs in India are.
I dnt agree with sm ppl arnd here. I’ve a 256kbps airtel internet conn. at home and many times I’ve seen downloading speed which has been upto 40KBps i.e. 320 kbps.
Though even I feel that internet subscription charges are still high in India.. Rs. 800/mnth pinches me..
Any clue hw are the rates in US, Canada & Europe vis a vis broadband options avaialble in India ?
Even bsnl is also not providing 2Mbps even though they are saying it .
Hi, I quite agree with most of the sentiments here. However, it’s not as if providers lie about speeds. I have an MTNL Triband Night Unlimited Plan and I have get regular speeds of 60-70 KBps, not to mention at certain times it has peaked at 200-210 KBps. Still, I agree that things could be a lot better, especially if the costs come down.
Well, it Doesn’t matter weather It is 2Mbps or 16Mbps until its unlimited!
You wont be able to enjoy that kind of speed.
This was long overdue. Now make it happen.