Mobile networks in India will have to undergo a special audit ordered by the government to determine the reason for frequent call drops. Communications minister Ravi Shankar Prasad launched the investigation after expressing serious concern over the issue, saying that the current system of regulation by TRAI would need to be supplemented with action by the Department of Telecom (DoT).
The DoT will conduct the first phase of the call drop audit through its TERM (Telecom Enforcement, Resource and Monitoring) cell in all metro cities. Its aim is to understand the problem, determine the state of network currently and suggest solutions. Ravi Shankar Prasad further directed TRAI to formulate a system of incentives and disincentives according to the quality of service provided by an operator.
The minister said it was the duty of telecom companies to upgrade their network and that sufficient spectrum had been auctioned off to prevent the issue of call drops from arising. However, he admitted to the difficulty of setting up a wide base of cell towers over emission concerns had contributed to the crisis, compounded by strict radiation rules which are 10 times more stringent than global standards.
Radiation has been a contentious dilemma for a while now, with protesters declaring mobile towers unsafe. Ravi Shankar Prasad attempted to rebuff their objections with statements citing WHO findings and court rulings that did not find emissions from these towers dangerous. He also pointed out call drop elimination and campaigns to remove cell towers cannot exist together.
Also Read: TRAI now planning to set new measures to curb the call drop menace
Recurring call drops have become a huge issue in a country like India, where a growing number of the population possesses a mobile phone. As a result, the network has become increasingly congested with traffic telecom operators are not equipped to handle. This audit is the first step in combating the problem, though we’re still a long way away from complete connectivity across the nation.