Call drops: Govt orders special audit of mobile networks

Expressing “serious concern” over the problem of frequent call drops, the government on Tuesday ordered a special audit of mobile networks and said regulator the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has been asked to formulate a system of “incentives and disincentives” for their service quality. Coming down heavily on mobile operators, Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said they have been provided “ample amount of spectrum” and it was their “job and responsibility” to upgrade the networks. Asked if there will be any penalty levied on telecom operators for call drops, Mr. Prasad said: “We have sent request to TRAI to make a structure of incentive and disincentive.” While TRAI is empowered to lay down standards of quality of service and ensuring that they are followed, “the issue of call drops has remained a matter of serious concern and government is of the opinion that the efforts of TRAI would need to be supplemented with action by the Department ”, Prasad said at a press conference. Citing various court rulings and World Health Organisation findings, he said the “issue of call drops and campaign to remove BTS’ cannot go on hand in hand.