Telecom regulator issues paper on fixing minimum internet speed for mobiles

Sick of dead slow internet connection on mobile? Relief is on the way as the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) will soon fix the minimum download speed the telecom operators will have to deliver for wireless data services.

"The Authority (TRAI) has been receiving a number of complaints from consumers regarding the poor download speed experienced by them. The Authority after examining the issue felt that there is now a need to mandate the 'minimum download speed' for the wireless data services," the telecom regulator said in its latest consultation process.

At present, there is no binding regulation on telecom operators to deliver wireless service at a particular minimum speed.

3G operators promise mobile internet speed in the range of 7.1 megabit per second (mbps) to 21 mbps. At 7.1 mbps, a mobile user should be able to download a full-length movie in around 12-14 minutes.

However, it takes around 40 minutes to download a file size equivalent to that of a movie on the best network. Minimum speed reported by operators to TRAI lies in the range of 399 kbps (minimum broadband speed is 512 kbps) to 2.48 mbps.

TRAI has found the minimum speed delivered by operators does not even qualify to be called broadband.

The wireless data services include mobile internet and broadband services like 2G, 3G and those offered using dongles.

The regulator is of the view that the minimum download speed for 3G and CDMA EVDO service should be 1 megabit per second with 95 per cent success rate. For GSM and CDMA 2G the minimum speed should be at 56 kilobit per second and for CDMA high speed data it is 512 kbps.

The regulator has sought public views on its consultation by May 5 and counter comments on it by May 12.