The move -being opposed by older telecommunication firms -will be significantly useful for making voice calls even when there aren't any mobile signals in some locations or when the standard network is uneven (which usually results in poor and interrupted call quality).
"The authority is of the notion that as per the current licensing framework, internet telephone service will be provided independent of the net access service. In other words, the net telephone service is un-tethered from the underlying access (or mobile) network," Trai aforementioned in its `Recommendations on regulative framework for internet Telephony', that have been submitted to the telecommunication ministry.
The regulator has pitched net calling as a helpful and cost-effective alternative for making voice calls. "This can increase the call success rate, significantly in indoor poor coverage areas wherever public internet is also accessible but signal of a specific telecommunication company isn't obtainable."
The older telecommunication players and their body COAI had opposed the move when it had been discussed by the regulator as they feared that it'd impact voice revenues. The firms said internet telephone, if provided over public network, can "entail vast losses to operators who are providing standard voice services as there'll be a shift of voice traffic... to public internet."
The companies aforementioned with raised proliferation of smartphones and tablets, the shift in SMS and voice traffic to app-based services has already started affecting their revenues, and this move can boost the pressure.
Trai disagrees. "The consumer can have a lot of alternative in making calls, and seamless voice connectivity can be accessed by riding over any WiFi network even when mobile signal isn't adequate, or is missing," Arvind Kumar, advisor at Trai, said.
To make calls through internet telephone, firms will ought to give an option -like an app -which would enable subscribers to use wifi before making calls to any of their contacts. Reliance Jio is believed to be one among the front-runners in providing such a framework.
Explaining the method of internet telephone, a Trai official aforementioned, "For example, an Airtel client could conceive to use Wi-Fi of MTNL or BSNL when he desires to make a call. Currently, there's no provision for this. however through an internet telephone player, he can now be provided such a facility through an app that he could download on his smartphone and use whenever needed. {the number|the amount|the quantity} of the caller are going to be same as his original number."
The regulator has recommended that "necessary clarification" is also issued by telecommunication ministry relating to internet telephone service. "If department of telecommunication contains a totally different understanding, Trai recommends that it may issue change to access service licences in order that net telephony service is untethered from the underlying access network."
