256 Kbps To Remain Broadband In India

[Arun 795]

Times News Network

16 Nov, 2007, 0253 hrs IST

In a bitter blow to consumers, the Department of Telecom (DoT) is learnt to have shelved its plan to mandate all telcos to increase broadband speeds to a minimum of 512 Kbps. The DoT has decided that broadband speeds in India will continue to be defined at a minimum of 256 kbps.

According to a top government source, this decision has been taken because the country is far behind its broadband targets and the mandate to increase the minimum speed would only result in the broadband base shrinking further.

In fact, telecom regulator TRAI, which was also consulted by the DoT on this issue is learnt to have favoured retention of the current policy, which classifies broadband as an internet connection which offers a minimum download speed of 256 kbps. Internationally, a ‘broadband’ offering is one which offers a minimum speed of 2 mbps.

Despite retaining the current speed, the country sees no possibility of meeting its broadband target of 9 million subscribers by 2007-end. According to the latest figures released by TRAI, the total broadband subscribers base reached 2.67 million by the end of September, 2007. The addition during April-September 2007 was 0.33 million compared to 0.47 million in the year-before period.

Meanwhile, TRAI is taking steps to ensure that telcos and internet service providers ensure that the minimum speed of 256 kbps is maintained at all times. This follows a series of complaints from customers that connections sold as ‘broadband’ by most service providers in India seldom offered 256 Kbps speed.

While the DoT is not asking the telcos to increase their broadband speeds, it is however directing state-owned telcos BSNL and MTNL to upgrade all broadband connections to speeds upwards of 2 mbps. Besides, Bharti Airtel recently announced the launch of 8 mbps broadband service, India’s fastest.

[copperco2 24]

too bad for us..

but i sincerely hope that it is just a delay..

better late than never..