TRAI Mandates Telecom Companies to Publish their Coverage Zones

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has called on mobile carriers to publish on their company websites the geospatial coverage maps of the geographical areas where they offer wireless voice and broadband services.

The directive is a key element of the sector regulator’s quality of services (QoS) rules for telcos. It is also aimed at empowering mobile users to take informed decisions when choosing a telecom carrier.

“Information on mobile network coverage is important from the perspective of QoS. One cannot expect good QoS in a non-coverage area, and availability of a service-wise geospatial coverage map on a service provider’s website will help consumers make informed decisions,” Trai said in an accompanying annexure to its directive to operators, issued Friday.

The regulator has issued a directive, calling on carriers offering wireless access services to publish on their websites “the service-wise (2G/ 3G/ 4G/ 5G) geospatial coverage maps” for geographical areas where wireless voice or wireless broadband service is available for subscription by consumers.

It added that telcos may extend availability of their coverage maps on their mobile apps, both for Android or iOS devices.