Page 95 - SAMENA Trends - July-August 2023

REGULATORY & POLICY UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

TRAI to Use AI to Monitor, Measure Network Quality

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) proposes to on the induction of new technologies like 4G. TRAI said it has been
use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to measure and monitor network receiving a number of complaints from subscribers regarding call
quality in its new draft regulation for Quality of Service Standards. drops and other network-related issues, especially after the rollout
TRAI proposes utilizing AI technology for QoS management and of 5G services. “To simplify regulatory framework for QoS, it is
monitoring. , “Near real-time, rather than monthly QoS performance proposed to have single regulation dealing with QoS standards for
monitoring may be achieved by collection, processing, and all voice and data services irrespective of their access medium i.e.,
correlation of performance data. AI can play an important role for both wireline and wireless services. Accordingly, present three
in effectively managing end-to-end QoS in network,” TRAI said. regulations are proposed to be merged into single regulation,” it
TRAI released a consultation paper reviewing Quality of Service said.
Standards for access service providers on Friday. In the paper,
TRAI proposes to measure Quality of Service Standards across
all segments of the telecommunications network. Segments of a
telecommunication network include access, backhaul, core and
transport components. The segmented approach to Quality of
Service management could lead to unpredictable user experience,
as each and every segment of a network is integral in delivering
seamless telecommunications to the end user, TRAI said. In the
draft regulation, TRAI has proposed to merge three regulations to
measure network quality for wireless and wireline services into
one. According to TRAI Act, 1997, it is mandated to ensure the QoS
to protect the interest of the consumers of telecommunication
services. Accordingly, it notified three QoS standards for telecom
services — The standards of QoS of Basic Telephone Service
(Wireline) and Cellular Mobile Telephone Service Regulations,
2009; QoS of Broadband Service Regulations 2006 and; The
Standards of QoS for Wireless Data Services Regulations 2012.
These regulations have been amended from time to time based

Ofcom Explores Hybrid Sharing Approach in 6GHz Spectrum Band

Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, is considering a new exploring an alternative approach called “hybrid sharing.” This
approach to meet the growing demand for data by exploring the approach aims to enable simultaneous use of the spectrum band
possibility of making additional capacity available in the upper for both Wi-Fi and mobile services. Ofcom is actively investigating
6 GHz spectrum band. The move aims to alleviate the pressure two potential methods for achieving this: Indoor-outdoor split:
on radio spectrum. driven by the increasing use of both Wi-Fi As Wi-Fi routers primarily operate indoors, catering to localized
and mobile networks. Currently, there is considerable industry broadband traffic, and mobile transmitters predominantly function
interest in utilizing the upper 6 GHz spectrum band to support outdoors, providing wider coverage, Ofcom is exploring the
the continuous growth in data traffic. This is divided between feasibility of allowing indoor Wi-Fi use while permitting licensed
dedicating the band exclusively for licensed mobile use or utilizing mobile use outdoors. Geographical sharing: Recognizing that
it for low-power license-exempt applications like Wi-Fi. However, data traffic across mobile networks is concentrated in specific
instead of choosing one exclusive use over the other, Ofcom is high-traffic areas, Ofcom is considering the possibility of enabling
licensed mobile use in those locations while allowing Wi-Fi
use in other areas. Additionally, they are exploring the option of
prioritizing Wi-Fi use in high-demand regions while permitting
mobile use elsewhere. Ofcom aims to identify suitable hybrid
sharing mechanisms that foster coexistence between licensed
mobile and Wi-Fi services in the upper 6 GHz spectrum band.
They are also advocating for international harmonization of hybrid
sharing in this band to facilitate economies of scale for equipment.
Stakeholders and industry participants are invited to provide their
comments on this approach by September 15, 2023.

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