The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Monday floated a consultation paper seeking stakeholders’ suggestion to help mobile companies get access to commercial and residential buildings. The purpose is to install infrastructure in such places, in an effort to improve connectivity – thereby addressing the menace of call drops.

Titled ‘Consultation Paper on In-Building Access by Telecom Service Providers (TSPs)’, TRAI has kept the last date for submitting views as July 7, and called for counter-comments by July 14.

The telecom watchdog has also suggested some mandatory provisions in the paper. This includes the role of local administration, making it mandatory to have adequate provisions for ducts or optical fibre and IBS (in-building solutions), while approving construction of new facilities, such as multiplexes, malls and hotels.

“The provisions should be such that it should facilitate access to all the TSPs to provide telecom services to the residents/tenants of the society/building,” TRAI said in the paper.

It also suggested creation of a one-time infrastructure, such as telecom ducts to reach the buildings, which could be used by any TSP. The basic idea is that TSPs should have unhindered access.

“These facilities should not be seen as a revenue source, but as essential infrastructure. Therefore, no charges should be levied by the building owner,” it said.

According to the paper, though wireless connectivity does not always require any in-building telecom infrastructure, but in case the signal strength inside a building is not adequate, then installation of in-building equipment becomes a necessity.

It also said given the rapid evolution of technologies, growth in data and broadband traffic, and the increasing demand for e-services and businesses in large organisations, big buildings and complexes, requires continuous high-speed data connection to function effectively, and therefore, in-building solutions (IBS)/Micro BTS/HetNet are critical to provide high-speed data.

“Also, for creation of Wi-Fi hotspots, TSPs have to place their equipment inside the building. Providing a redundant connection from an alternate service provider, so as to have uninterrupted connection, is also a need of the hour,” TRAI said.

The Authority has pointed out that without having access to buildings, in-building telecom infrastructure cannot be installed and “it has come to the notice of the Authority that in many areas there are problems in getting access to buildings”.

In-building access by TSPs will also create more competition among companies. This is because at present, an infrastructure group or builder enters into exclusive agreements with a particular TSP for providing telecom services.

But now, the IBS can host multiple TSPs – thereby encouraging competition and improvement in services.

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