DoT to hold service quality audit of call drops case

Taking a tough stand over poor telecom services, Union Minister for IT and Telecom Ravi Shankar Prasad on Tuesday said that the department of telecommunications (DoT) has been directed to conduct a special audit of quality of service parameters across the country in the wake of rising call drops situation.

“The audit will assess the gravity of call drops situation and help to plan remedial measures. In the 

initial phase, all metros and capital cities will be part of the survey. The DoT will also approach Ministry of Urban Development to enable in building solutions through a shared facility for all the telecom operators in all central government buildings located in metros and capital cities,” Prasad told <g data-gr-id="18">mediapersons</g> here. 

The minister also took a review of the issue of persistent call drops affecting <g data-gr-id="28">quality</g> of service with <g data-gr-id="29">official</g> of the department. Prasad has directed all telecom service providers to undertake a special drive for radio frequency optimisation of their networks followed by periodic optimisation as per need. Concerned over frequent call drops inside offices, the IT Minister said, “A large proposition of mobile traffic is generated indoors and the strength of cellular signals has to be enhanced to enable it to penetrate wall of building. So the ministry has decided to encourage in-building solutions to enable greater coverage and aid better quality of service.”

The minister further added that all chief minister of the state would be asked to formulate a policy and identify the buildings to be used for installing mobile towers. “We are going to write to CMs to encourage in-building solutions in the public-sector buildings to improve network services,” Prasad said, adding that telecom service providers have to provide quality service and if they fail to do so, action would be initiated as per the law.