Call drops irk not just regular mobile customers, but also Communications and Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad.

Taking it as a priority, the government on Tuesday announced several measures which included asking telecom service providers (TSPs) to undertake a special drive for radio frequency optimisation of their networks followed by periodic optimisation as per need.

Such optimisation is required for better connectivity since the spectrum has changed hands (companies) after auctions. Optimisation of the different radio frequencies of networks periodically would help the customers in getting better connectivity, Prasad said. The companies have been provided ‘ample amount of spectrum’ and it was now their ‘job and responsibility’ to upgrade the networks, he added.

He said a special audit of quality of service parameters would also be taken to assess the gravity of the problem which will help to plan remedial measures. This will be done by the Telecom Enforcement, Resource and Monitoring (TERM) cell of the Department of Telecom (DoT). Such audit will help in understanding the problem, nature of standards being maintained and also suggest improvements, he said.

To address the TSPs’ demand for erecting telecom towers in government buildings/premises, the Minister said the DoT would approach the Ministry of Urban Development to enable in-building solutions (IBS) through a shared, common facility for all TSPs in all Central Government buildings located in metropolitan cities and capital cities where population density is high.

“Similarly, requests would be sent to all State Governments and all Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSE) to provide IBS in all Government/ CPSE premises. This will also reduce load on networks significantly. I will write to Chief Ministers to encourage installation of IBS in government offices (buildings),” Prasad said.

For the Delhi region, he said DoT would approach the Ministry of Urban Development and NDMC to plead the case for permitting the use of Government buildings for installation of mobile towers on specific terms and conditions.

The industry has welcomed the proposals made by the Minister.

“I am glad that the government has agreed to some of our requests to solve call drops. We are ready with the help and allowing IBS and cell towers in Government buildings would further solve the call drop issues,” Rajan S Mathews, Director General, Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), told BusinessLine .

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