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India's rural broadband proposals Print E-mail
Wednesday, 19 September 2007

IndiaAccording to Telecommunications Online the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued a series of proposals aimed at boosting broadband access. They include allowing universal service funds to be used to subsidize satellite backhaul charges when providing broadband links to rural areas and encouraging the state-owned operators BSNL and MTNL to supplement their broadband efforts by appointing franchisees to provide DSL-based services in rural areas.

TRAI also wants the government to speed up efforts to develop the licensing procedure and pricing for 3G and WiMAX spectrum. 

Read the Telecommunications Online article. 

In a separate move, Business Standard reports that TRAI is proposing that telecom operators can offer mobile television to their subscribers while traditional broadcasters will have to get a licence to offer mobile TV. The measure would be detrimental to cable distribution and media companies.

Read the Business Standard article.