Trai to wait for TDSAT take on congestion

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has said it will not take any action against cellular operators for failing to check increased congestion on Point of Interconnect (POI) till the matter was decided by the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal.

Trai monitors the level of congestion at the POIs between service providers on a monthly basis to ensure effective interconnection between networks of service providers.

The benchmark prescribed by it for the parameter 'POI Congestion' (congestion between the networks of two operators) is less than 0.5 per cent.

The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) and other operators had challenged Trai's directions and show cause notices issued to them with regard to congestion levels on their network. They had moved the tribunal seeking that the regulator's directions and showcause notices be quashed.

COAI, on behalf of GSM service providers, had also requested the authority to ensure timely interconnection before the service providers were directed to ensure quality of service.

In its reply to the tribunal, COAI said it was relevant to state that in the event of the respondent not discharging the statutory function of ensuring the terms and conditions of interconnectivity between the service providers, it cannot force upon the appellants parameters of quality of service that are incapable of being achieved.

However, Trai said operators had neither undertaken discussions for bringing down the timeframe for provision of interconnection nor approached the tribunal. Trai also said it cannot be a mute witness to the continued increase in POI congestion till the matter is resolved, as it is duty bound to protect the interest of consumers.

The appellants were well aware of the very high POI congestion in their networks. Even then, they had not taken timely action for augmenting interconnection, Trai added.