Indian Telecom Ministry pushes for better services and stricter rules
Companies must publish performance data and face increased penalties for non-compliance.
The Indian Telecommunication Ministry is ramping up efforts to boost domestic manufacturing in the telecom sector while improving service quality. In a recent meeting with the Stakeholders Advisory Committee (SAC), which included telecom equipment manufacturers, service providers, and representatives from the broader telecom ecosystem, the minister discussed the potential for creating a dedicated telecom manufacturing zone. That initiative supports the broader ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ vision.
In a separate meeting with telecom service providers (TSPs), Scindia emphasised the importance of enhancing the quality of services (QoS) provided to consumers. He stressed that telecom services in India must align with global standards, especially as the country increasingly adopts advanced technologies like 5G and high-speed fibre broadband. The push for improved service comes at a critical time when the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is pressing companies to comply with new QoS norms that aim to ensure reliable and high-performing networks.
The updated QoS standards, introduced by TRAI on 2 August after nearly a decade, focus on specific performance metrics such as network availability, call drop rates, and voice packet drops in uplink and downlink. Telecom companies must publish their performance data on their websites, including mobile coverage maps and network outages.
To enforce compliance, TRAI has increased penalties for violations, with fines ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh. The new reporting framework will be effective from 1 October, with companies required to submit quarterly QoS reports within 15 days of each quarter’s end.