Trai.gov.in Trak.in TelecomTiger.com 24 Apr 2014 Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has decided to set a minimum download speed for 2G and 3G services. In this regard TRAI has published a consultation paper and will listen to public opinion till May 5. TRAI intends to set the minimum download speed for 3G and CDMA EVDO services at 1 Mbps with success rate of 95 per cent. Whereas for GSM and CDMA 2G the minimum should be 56 kbps while that for CDMA high speed data it should be 512 kbps is what the regulator feels. TRAI may also ask telecom operators to mention the minimum download speed that a data service will deliver in a tariff plan. Currently there are no rules to keep a tab on dropping speeds. Its a commendable step since customers are promised high speeds but these are rarely touched. According to TRAI, the telecom consumers availing wireless data services are not aware of the minimum download speed being offered to them by the TSPs. Generally, the tariff plans offered by the TSPs are based on the volume of data usage for various technologies, without any clarity about the speed being offered to consumers. Also, there is no commitment of minimum download speed while offering a tariff plan. TRAI has now proposed that all Indian internet users provide their inputs to them, so that the telecom companies are regulated and mandated to provide a minimum internet speed under all circumstances, something like this: TRAI added, Another alternative could be that the service providers, along with the tariff and the details of data services offered, also specify a minimum download speed that will be applicable for each plan or scheme. Accordingly, along with each tariff plan whenever they are advertised, through website, telephone bills, sale vouchers, complaint centres, and sales office, the minimum download speed is also necessarily mentioned. Moreover, whenever there is a change in the plan or speed, subscriber should be properly informed and the same should also be published through suitable advertisement. The service provider shall inform the minimum download speed along with the tariff plan while filing tariff to TRAI. TRAI has asked all Indians to send in their suggestions and ideas latest by May 5, 2014 at this email id: advqos@trai.gov.in - Counter comments can be sent by May 12, 2014 TRAI press release