Why Speeds Are Poor
- No national Internet backbone. Private players have to set up their own backbone, which is capital intensive.
- Big targets but there is no clear policy push. Crucial issues like spectrum availability and Internet telephony are still hanging fire.
- No sharing of infrastructure
- Local loop has not been unbundled, which would have allowed private operators to ride on BSNL/ MTNL infrastructure for a fee and provide services
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What Can Be Done
- Government should set up a common NIB or open up the existing one, which could be leased to private operators
- Clear policy push for broadband, free up spectrum, open up VoIP, encourage alternate access technologies like wireless and Wimax
- Allow sharing of broadband infrastructure to speed up penetration and save costs for private operators
- Government should enforce quality of service standards and empower the regulator to take individual consumer complaints
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