Jio Effect? TRAI Asks for Network Testing Before Final Launch

TRAI initiates consultation on network testing before commercial launch. Is this the Jio effect yet again?

Prior to the times when Reliance Jio had rolled out its free data services, there were no testing standards laid down by the Telecom Authority of India (TRAI) to test and check the quality of service and network before the commercial launch of services. Jio made the most of this and expanded its networks across different parts of India and is now reaping commercial benefits from the same.

This led to another debate amongst many existing telecom service providers as they felt that it is an unfair trade practice and requested TRAI to intervene.

Adhering to the request, TRAI has now released a consultation document on ‘Network Testing before Commercial Launch of Services’ which states that the telecom regulator is ready to initiate consultation on network testing before the commercial launch.

TRAI has been asked by the government to come up with a framework for the testing phase of new mobile operators.

Telecom service providers (TSPs) mostly use test SIM cards to check the quality of service and network before the commercial launch of services. These tests are done to make sure that the standards and regulations on quality of service laid down by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) are adhered to.

Are There Any Current Regulations for Network Testing?

The Department of Telecom (DoT) issued a circular in 2005 that stipulated that test SIM cards will be issued free of cost to business partners, including roaming operators, to check the quality of service on a regular basis before final release. These are some stipulations issued by DoT:

Currently, there are no other guidelines on testing of network or any limit on number of SIM cards that can be issued because of which it is important that a set of stipulations be formulated to regulate network testing.