Telecom operators get more time on next generation network

Wednesday, 25 February 2009, 22:23 IST   |    1 Comments
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New Delhi: You may have to wait a little longer than expected before you start paying less to access the Internet through a high speed broadband network, as the telecom watchdog is yet to come out with the guidelines on the next generation network (NGN) that will enable telecom operators to offer better services at lower rates. Telecom operators have been asked to submit their comments on NGN by March 10, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) said here Wednesday. Earlier, they had been asked to do so by Feb 27. NGN enables telecom operators to offer a range of new services - lower tariffs, Internet protocol television (IPTV), high definition television, videoconferencing, voice over Internet protocol, instant messaging and e-mail. However, operators will be required to make substantial investments to migrate to the NGN platform from their existing networks. "The increasing acceptability of common IP (Internet Protocol) backbone, intense competition and need to provide new value-added services and applications encourage migration into NGN platforms world-over," TRAI had said in a statement earlier. However, such migration may be restricted due to existing regulatory frameworks, it said. The consultation paper has asked operators to specify if there should be any change in the regulatory and policy framework in the emergence of NGN. Operators have also been asked to specify the nature of changes. Currently, it is not mandatory for operators to migrate to NGN. The Department of Telecom has not specified any timeframe for replacing their existing networks with the NGN platform. TRAI has sought the industry's opinion if this system should continue, or if a timeframe for migration to NGN should be specified.
Source: IANS
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