Call drop problem: Trai to start testing networks in Mumbai, Delhi from 28 Sept

Telecom watchdog TRAI will start testing the networks in the national capital and Mumbai from September 28 to ascertain whether operators have taken measures to address the call drops menace. With regard to call drops issue, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has floated a discussion paper and also had discussions with CEOs of telecom operators. TRAI Chairman R S Sharma today said the test drive in Delhi and Mumbai would start on September 28. After meeting CEOs of telcos on September 9, the regulator had given 15 days time to the telecom operators for taking steps to address the call drops problem. “It (test drive) should take four to five days… In Delhi and Mumbai, we will start on September 28,” Sharma told reporters on the sidelines of a summit here. On September 9, the government had asked telcos to get their act right on call drops issue or face action. “We had circulated the consultation paper. The first round of consultations was completed on September 21 and now for one week, it will be open for counter comments. On September 28, the counter comments part will also be closed,” Sharma said. Then, TRAI would hold open house discussion on October 1. “Thereafter, we will take about a week or so to come out with the final policy, which should be around middle of October,” he noted. When asked about TRAI’s view on the call drops issue, Sharma said it has no opinion as of now. “TRAI will actually go by the opinion of people and stakeholders. Thereafter, it (TRAI) will have its opinion and exercise its opinion only after considering the opinions of everybody,” he added. PTI