The Ministry of Communications and IT has announced several measures to curb the issue of call drops. This includes conducting a special audit of quality of service parameters by the Telecom Enforcement, Resource and Monitoring (TERM) cell of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). According to the Ministry, such audit will help in understanding the problem, nature of standards being maintained and will also suggest improvements.

Meanwhile the Ministry has also directed telecom service providers (TSP) to undertake a special drive for radio frequency optimisation of their networks followed by periodic optimisation as per need. Optimisation of the different radio frequencies of networks periodically would help the customers in receiving better connectivity. The Ministry is of the view that the telecom operators have been provided with ample amount of spectrum and it is their responsibility to upgrade the networks.

To address the operator’s demand for erecting telecom towers in government buildings/premises, the Ministry has stated that DoT would approach the Ministry of Urban Development to enable in-building solutions (IBS) through a shared, common facility for all service providers in all Central Government buildings located in metropolitan cities and capital cities where the population density is high. This will help reduce the load on networks. For the Delhi region, DoT would approach the Ministry of Urban Development and NDMC to permit the use of government buildings for installation of mobile towers on specific terms and conditions. The industry has welcomed the proposals made by the Ministry.