Raise minimum broadband speed to 2 Mbps: Microsoft

BHULLAR BOYS

Disciple
Software giant Microsoft Corporation has urged the telecom regulator to raise the bar for offering broadband services in the country by mandating minimum speeds of 2 Mbps.

At present, telecom operators are allowed to offer Internet access at 256 kbps speed and call it broadband.

The actual speed being offered to the consumers is much lower. A 2 Mbps connection can download a 1 GB movie in one hour compared to nine hours taken by a 256 kbps line.

In response to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's (TRAI) pre-consultation paper on introducing fourth generation (4G) technology, Microsoft Corp (India) said, “The current definition of minimum 256 kbps download capacity in the last mile must be changed in two distinct aspects – firstly, the benchmark must be revised to at least 2 Mbps and secondly, it should be made less and less asymmetric as the user-generated content and other usage trends underscore such needs.â€

The Redmond-based IT major has also suggested that TRAI should review the broadband speed benchmark every two years as more and newer applications continue to emerge.

OTHERS TOO SEEK

There are a number of other entities which think the minimum broadband speed should be increased. In July 2009, TRAI itself indicated that the Government should redefine broadband services.

Speaking at a telecom seminar organised by the Assocham, Dr J. S. Sarma, Chairman, TRAI, had said that while there are countries which offer speeds of over 20 Mbps, India is still stuck at 256 kbps.

Pricing concerns

However, changing the definition of broadband will have major ramifications for operators. If offering a minimum of 2 Mbps speed is made mandatory, operators will have to invest heavily in ramping up their network. The additional cost burden on the operators will be passed on to the subscribers, making broadband expensive.

We do not think it is feasible to move from 256 kbps to 2 Mbps in one shot. If at all the definition has to be revised, then they should move to 512 kbps, otherwise it will be too costly for both operators and subscribers,†said a GSM player.

Market watchers pointed out that already telecom players, including Bharti Airtel and MTNL, have started offering 512 kbps broadband speed to everyone. Though operators also offer higher speeds of over 2 Mbps, they are heavily priced, taking it beyond the reach of most consumers.

Source::The Hindu Business Line : Raise minimum broadband speed to 2 Mbps: Microsoft @bsnlEVDO community
 
Yea,2mbps broadband with 2GB limit.

And Airtel 512 kbps with fcking FUP.

Everyone has wright to dream in India.

All I can do ATM is lol..........
 
^^ nah, if they make the minimum as 2mbps then they can't have an fup with speed less than that and market it as broadband. At least that is what my understanding of the situation is.
 
^Our operators can do anything. 256Kbps is here to stay for years to come imo, its already been 5 years.
 
BHULLAR BOYS said:
Pricing concerns

However, changing the definition of broadband will have major ramifications for operators. If offering a minimum of 2 Mbps speed is made mandatory, operators will have to invest heavily in ramping up their network. The additional cost burden on the operators will be passed on to the subscribers, making broadband expensive.

We do not think it is feasible to move from 256 kbps to 2 Mbps in one shot. If at all the definition has to be revised, then they should move to 512 kbps, otherwise it will be too costly for both operators and subscribers,” said a GSM player.

Market watchers pointed out that already telecom players, including Bharti Airtel and MTNL, have started offering 512 kbps broadband speed to everyone. Though operators also offer higher speeds of over 2 Mbps, they are heavily priced, taking it beyond the reach of most consumers.

What investments are being spoken here.. I understand when any ISP's get their gateways & server equipment to provide broadband to end user had already got ones which can handle such load... I mean they can't have equipment with only few MBps capacity...

At the gateway front maybe they need some more equipment since they are only sitting on the bandwidth. The network is already capable of handling more than 2Mbps. So should the servers I presume...The cost involved cannot be so much that it cannot be recovered in 1-2 years. since no. of connections will increase rapidly.. There will be more leagal content & applications to choose from once its implemented...But I think its the same old policy of ISP's to milk the end user citing these difficulties which exist more on paper than in reality... That's why they deny cheaper true Broadband..

I too believe nobody @ TRAI & Govt. will listen to Microsoft since they already have ISP lobby putting pressure not to come up with cheaper broadband.. Unless Microsoft pays more which I highly doubt it in this case... :p
 
thetoxicmind said:
A start of things to come, perhaps? What if other *BIG* corporations follow suit?
A little optimism never hurts.

I would be very happy if the minimum speed was raised to not 2 but 4 Mbps, but that's another story. And well and good if other big corporations follow suit. :)
 
I don't think Telecom companies will 'encourage' the politicians to increase the minimum broadband speed in India. I think rather they would discourage this for as long as they can.

After all we know that politics is just a way for the people with money (so called businessmen) to get legislation passed in their favor.
 
atleast after that ISPs cant advertise "broadband" for connections < 2mbps. I think now the "broadband" stands for anything above 256kbps. Time to move on already. 2mbps is a good start.
 
Problem equally lies with the service providers as i think they want milk the customers as much as they can but providing the stupid FUP plans and slower speeds.
 
What m$ suggest can easily get done, but m$ only suggest on paper, they need to put billions $ with proposal papers & see in a week Special Ordinance will pass out for minimum 2 mbps speed (mandatory) :)
 
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