Broadband Definition of Minimum Download Speed Raised to 2 Mbps

The authorities has revised the definition of broadband connectivity, specifying a better minimal obtain pace of two Mbps (megabits per second), in line with a gazette notification.

Earlier, the definition notified by the Telecom Department in July 2013 had benchmarked it to 512 kbps (kilobits per second) as minimal obtain pace.

“In supersession of the definition of broadband issued vide notification dated July 18, 2013 and after consideration of the advice of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the Central Government hereby revise the definition of broadband as follows…,” the notification said.

The recent gazette notification went on to the say that “Broadband is a data connection that is able to support interactive services, including internet access and has the capability of the minimum download speed of 2 Mbps to an individual subscriber from the point of presence (POP) of the service provider intending to provide broadband service.” The notification dated January 25, 2023 has come into pressure with rapid impact.

As of November 30, 2022, India had about 825.4 million broadband subscribers, of which 793.5 million had been wi-fi broadband customers, and relaxation wireline.

As per knowledge launched not too long ago by the sector regulator, the highest 5 service suppliers constituted 98.4 per cent market share of the entire broadband subscribers on the finish of November 2022.

These service suppliers had been Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd (430.18 million), Bharti Airtel (230.56 million), Vodafone Idea (123.48 million), BSNL (25.85 million) and Atria Convergence (2.14 million).

When contacted, Broadband India Forum President, TV Ramachandran mentioned that the most recent transfer of revising the definition augurs properly for broadband shoppers, particularly these in rural and semi city areas.

“The broadband penetration has an extended option to go when seen within the context of our total inhabitants. The transfer to boost the definition to minimal obtain pace of two Mbps is a step in the fitting route for shoppers,” Ramachandran said.

In fact, in August 2021, TRAI had recommended that “definition of broadband has been reviewed and minimum download speed for broadband connectivity revised upward from the present 512 kbps to 2 Mbps. Based on download speed, fixed broadband has been categorised into three different categories – basic, fast and super fast.” As per Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index for the month of December 2022, India recorded 25.29 Mbps median cell obtain speeds, bettering 18.26 Mbps in November 2022.

“With this, the nation has taken an enormous leap in its international rating and is now at 79 place from 105 in November,” Ookla said in a statement on January 27, 2023.

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(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is revealed from a syndicated news company feed)