Trai, FCC to collaborate on broadband

NEW DELHI: Despite the challenges it has persistently posed, India\'s broadband goals need a light touch regulatory approach, not a heavy-handed one. This was the prescription offered by chairman of US telecom regulator FCC, Julius Genachowski . He was speaking at a conference on Broadband Investments & Innovation.



The Trai is preparing to release a consultation paper on India\'s broadband sector and the US, which is also combating similar challenges against 100% broadband adoption, has only recently implemented its national broadband policy.



There was consensus among senior industry leaders that voice telephony in India had blossomed because of minimal regulatory interference which allowed for better network management, pricing , outsourcing to lower costs and flexibility in building infrastructure. They agreed that a similar gentle regulatory approach must be followed in broadband as well.



Trai chairman J S Sarma and Genachowski both agreed that a wider consultation between the Trai and FCC on positive learnings in both countries would substantially assist policy development.



Genachowski is likely to engage with DoT secretary, P J Thomas, IT secretary, Chandrasekhar and Sarma on several other key bilateral and policy issues as well.



India\'s telecom story is a mixed bag of excellent performance in voice telephony and an extremely slow start for broadband penetration. According to the latest data, India has roughly 70 million internet users and less than 10 million broadband users. The government is worried about the future of broadband as it impacts India\'s information infrastructure and delivery of health, banking, and education over wireless and internet.



Genachowski said the US was equally concerned about the fact that 10% of its population had no access to wireless infrastructure while broadband adoption continued to be a weak 65% even where infrastructure exists. Genachowski warned that the costs of digital exclusion are rising as most job postings are only available online and applications are also only accepted digitally. Kiran Karnik, former Nasscom chief said India needs to replicate its success in voice telephony in broadband
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