TRAI mulling over broadband connectivity via cable TV network

TRAI Chairman R S Sharma has said that 500 million people can be provided broadband connectivity in a short span of time by leveraging the already present digital cable TV network.

"We have made a number of recommendation and our recommendations if followed could transform our ranking which is abysmally low," Sharma said at Skoch Summit.

With 100 million homes in India connected with digital cable TV, a little ‘up-gradation’ of the same pipe can be used for delivery of robust broadband connectivity, according to Sharma.

TRAI has already sent the recommendations in this regard to the Department of Telecom and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Government under National Telecom Policy 2012 has set a target to connect 600 million people by the year 2020 at minimum 2Mbps download speed.

It is the shortage of fixed line infrastructure that has led to a crunch in bandwidth because most of the people are connected with mobile phones, Sharma said. "Robust bandwidth usage is not done while moving. Mobile wireless can never be reliable. It is not very robust," he added.

"In the Telecom Policy of 2012, we have open sky policy declared there whereby we are saying that satellite bandwidth shall be available in a very free market manner. Unfortunately, it remains clogged with Department of Space. Antrix Corporation, they canalised this entire bandwidth provision," Sharma said.

As a result, India gets connectivity bandwidth from satellites at a very high rate. "This is needed in the area we can't lay optic fibre like Jammu and Kashmir, North East. A policy change will make satellite bandwidth available in free market manner. It should be another way to increase the supply of broadband in our country," he added.