Lok Sabha Question No. 1568 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Pre-launch Network Trials
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: CH. MALLA REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1568 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27 TH      DECEMBER, 2017

## PRE-LAUNCH NETWORK TRIALS

1568. SHRI CH. MALLA REDDY:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  TRAI  has  tendered  any  recommendations  pertaining  to  the  prelaunch network trial  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  enlisting  major  recommendations  in this regard; and
- (b) whether as per the said recommendations, the number of test subscribers that can be enrolled by an operator in a licence service area should be limited to 5% of its installed network capacity for that area and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS & MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a) & (b) Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued its recommendations on 'Network Testing before Commercial Launch of Services' on 4 th December, 2017. The key recommendations are as under:
- i. A  Telecom  Service Provider (TSP) should be allowed to enrol test subscribers  in testing phase  to  carry out the network  testing before commercial launch of its services.
- ii. The number of test subscribers that can be enrolled by a TSP in a Licensed Service Area (LSA) should be limited to 5% of its installed network capacity for  that  LSA. The TSP will submit the detailed capacity calculations of the network to Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and TRAI atleast 15 days before commencing enrolment of test subscribers.
- iii. There  should  be  a  limit  of  90  days  on  the  test  phase  involving  test subscribers.  However,  if  the  TSP  fails  to  conclude  network  testing  due  to valid reasons, it may make a representation to DoT, seeking additional time for  network  testing  giving  detailed  justification,  which  may  be  decided  by DoT on case to case basis.
- iv. If a TSP wants to enrol test subscribers, it should give prior intimation to DoT and TRAI atleast 15 days before commencing enrolment of test subscribers.

- v. All  licensing provisions related to the security and privacy such as ensuring adequate verification of each and every customer before enrolling him as a subscriber, protection and privacy of communication, maintaining Call Detail Record  (CDR)/Internet  Protocol  Detail  Record  (IPDR),  Confidentiality  of Information, Lawful interception & monitoring etc. must be complied with by the TSP.
- vi. Mobile Number Portability (MNP) facility should not be extended to network under testing.
- vii. If  a  TSP  wants  to  enrol  test  subscribers  for  the  testing  of  its  network,  it should transparently give the following information to the test subscribers at the time of their enrolment:
4.  During test phase, TSP is not mandated to adhere to specified level of Quality  of  Service  (QoS).  Therefore,  there  may  be  sub-optimal  level  of network performance.
5.  The scope of services during the test period.
6.  MNP  facility won't be available till the services are commercially launched.
7.  There won't be any charge (fixed charge or usage based charge) during the test phase.
8.  Likely date of commercial launch.

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