TRAI directs telecom service providers to inform it of any major network outage

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued directions to all telecom service providers on Tuesday to inform it about any major network outage in their services. The official release stated that the order was notified after it was observed that incidences of major network outage of telecom networks occurring due to technical reasons or due to natural calamities are not reported by the telecom service providers to TRAI. 

It said that such major network outages in the country for prolonged duration, especially in border and hilly areas, adversely affect the availability or quality of services in the affected areas.

As a result, the regulatory authority has decided to collect the information about any such outage at the district level, in order to understand the root cause of major network outages and get relevant support from local authorities extended to the service providers.

In view of the latest directive, the telecom service providers have been directed to report the following:

* All incidences of major network outages affecting the telecom services to the entire consumers of a district (revenue district as defined by the Union/State Government) continuously for a period of more than four hours, within 24 hours of their occurrence, in the format specified in the direction.

* The root cause of such major network outage and corrective actions taken thereof, within 72 hours of restoration of services, in the format specified in the direction.

The release stated that this directive shall come into force with immediate effect.

Earlier on Monday, the regulator came down heavily on service providers asking them to take immediate action to curb pesky calls and messages by getting banks and financial institutions to clean up unused templates.

The telecom regulator also issued directions to curb the issue of unsolicited commercial communications (UCC), which have been seen to lead with instances of frauds and scams.