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    Call drop: Trai sets new quality norms for 4G networks

    Synopsis

    The sector regulator said such voice call-muting or `periods of silence’ is caused by “drop or loss of voice packets” on LTE networks.

    call-drop-bccl
    Voice calls on 4G network are made using data as the entire network is developed using Internet protocol (IP) technology.
    The telecom regulator has tightened quality rules to check potential voice losses on calls made over Long Term Evolution (VoLTE) networks. It has mandated a 2% cap for such losses, known in industry parlance as 'call muting, bringing this element of 4G VoLTE services within the ambit of quality of service rules for telcos.

    “Instances of pauses or mute of voice were experienced by users during conversations even while the voice call continued in locations where telcos have launched LTE networks and are providing VoLTE services,” Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) said in its quality norms regulation for VoLTE calls that will be effective from October 1. The regulation was issued Tuesday.

    The sector regulator said such voice call-muting or `periods of silence’ is caused by “drop or loss of voice packets” on LTE networks.

    Call muting is a phenomenon that occurs during a call where in case of poor network, attempts to keep a call connected are made, during which voice is not heard by one or either parties for a few seconds, which though occurs only while offering VoLTE services.

    Incumbent carriers such as Bharti Airtel, Vodafone India and Idea Cellular had asked Trai to look into the issue of call muting while taking into account performance quality. They feared that any adverse report by the regulator which may show better call quality on the network of telcos offering VoLTE that offers voice in data format vis-à-vis those offering services on older networks, such as by the three older telcos, could influence subscriber choice in a brutally competitive market.

    Jio, which is the only pan-India network on VoLTE technology, had historically described call-muting as a non-issue. Airtel, Vodafone India and Idea though are now rapidly switching to VoLTE mode for voice and data services to get even with Reliance Jio Infocomm.

    The regulator Tuesday introduced two new technical parameters for measuring instances of call-muting under its quality rules for VoLTE calls.

    “The Authority has decided to prescribe benchmarks as less than or equal to 2% for both parameters to measure voice packet losses over calls made over VoLTE networks,” the Trai said.

    Trai has arrived at the “less than or equal to 2% voice loss benchmark”, citing an International Telecom Union (ITU) regulation that says “a user is defined to have experienced a voice outage if less than 98% of the (voice) packets have been delivered successfully”.

    The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), which represents all major phone companies, decided against commenting on the Trai regulation immediately.

    “As our membership has various views on the matter, the association has refrained from making any comments. Individual companies will make their views known shortly,” said Rajan Mathews, director general of the COAI, which represents Bharti Airtel, Vodafone India, Idea Cellular and Reliance Jio.

    The operators did not immediately respond to emailed queries seeking comment.

    Starting October, phone companies will need to include details of voice losses on VoLTE calls in their monthly quality compliance reports.

    In February this year, Trai had sought stakeholder views on the definition and measurement of call-muting or silence. Trai was looking to determine the parameters on call drops and service quality measurement for voice services to LTE users, much like the rules that were laid down by it for assessing the quality of cellular mobile and basic telephony services.

    In its discussion paper, the regulator had also sought views on whether the present quality norms were adequate to effectively monitor call quality of VoLTE and traditional circuit switch fall back (CSFB) networks, or whether new parameters were required.

    In this light, Trai has issued a separate regulation Tuesday, mandating telcos to “measure any call setup delays” that users typically experience in markets where phone companies have rolled out 4G LTE networks but not launched VoLTE services.

    Such measurements will need to be undertaken by telcos every quarter and reported to Trai.


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