The Indian telecom regulator is planning to update the service quality standards for 4G services nationwide. The revisions will aim to enhance service quality, with penalties imposed on telecom companies that fail to meet the minimum Quality of Service (QoS) standards. Currently, 4G services are widely available in India, offered by three major providers: Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea. Additionally, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is expected to join the 4G competition soon.
According to reports, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) will soon release revised rules or parameters for 4G QoS. While the focus is currently on 4G, TRAI is not yet imposing stringent QoS standards for 5G services, as telecom operators are still in the process of rolling out and optimizing their 5G networks. However, TRAI plans to enforce 5G QoS standards in the future.
The report also indicates that TRAI may require telecom operators to report data on a monthly basis. An identified issue is that poor service quality in some Licensed Service Areas (LSAs) can be averaged out by better quality in other LSAs, leading to inconsistent service experiences. The regulator aims to ensure that all citizens receive consistent, high-quality mobile services across the country.
While call drops have been a problem during the initial 5G rollout, improvements have been made in recent months. Despite these advancements, many citizens still experience subpar service quality. The updated QoS norms will aim to guarantee good network services for all users, regardless of their location.
