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TRAI releases recommendations to promote broadband connectivity
Mumbai: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released its recommendations on ‘Roadmap to Promote Broadband Connectivity and Enhanced Broadband Speed’.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) as per the objectives of the National Digital Communications Policy 2018 sought recommendations of TRAI on issues relating to broadband speed and its categorisations, infrastructure creation, and promoting broadband connectivity.
TRAI issued a consultation paper on 20 August seeking comments and counter comments from stakeholders. The DoT vide another reference letter dated 12 March sought consolidated and updated recommendations on the proliferation of fixed-line broadband services in the country. This included reference to additional issues relating to licence fee exemption and direct benefit to consumers. A supplementary consultation paper was issued on 19 May followed by an open house discussion.
Based on inputs received by stakeholders and its own analysis, TRAI has finalised its recommendation shared below.
1. Definition of broadband has been reviewed and the minimum download speed for broadband connectivity revised upward from the present 512 Kbps to 2 Mbps. Based on download speed, fixed broadband has been categorised into three different categories – basic, fast, and super-fast.
2. To encourage lakhs of cable operators to provide broadband services, TRAI’s past recommendation on ‘Definition of Revenue Base (AGR) for the Reckoning of Licence Fee and Spectrum Usage Charges’ has been reiterated.
3. To enhance mobile broadband speed in rural and remote areas by fiberisation of the cellular networks, backhaul connectivity on optical fiber using the BharatNet network with Service Level Agreements (SLA) should be made available to service providers.
4. To incentivise investment in the last-mile linkage for fixed-line broadband, notify a skill development plan and an interest subvention scheme for cable operators registered as micro and small size companies.
5. To enhance mobile broadband speed, the radio spectrum used for backhauling connectivity of cellular networks should be assigned to service providers on-demand and in a time-bound manner.
6. Creation of national portal for RoW permissions to facilitate the expeditious rollout of telecom and other essential utilities infrastructure.
7. Incentivise establishment of common ducts and posts for fiberisation of networks. In line with BharatNet Project, exempt RoW charges for the next five years of expeditious laying of common ducts and posts.
8. A centrally sponsored scheme (CSS) to incentivise states/UTs for RoW reforms. Incentives to be linked to the net improvement in the Broadband Readiness Index (BRI) score of a state/UT.
9. Mandates co-deployment of common ducts during the construction of any roadway, railway, and water and gas pipelines receiving public funding.
10. To facilitate the sharing of passive infrastructure such as ducts, optical fibers, posts, etc., all the passive infrastructure available in the country should be mapped by each service provider and infrastructure provider using a Geographic Information System (GIS). The Telecom Engineering Center (TEC) should notify the standards for this purpose. Establishment of e-marketplace on a common GIS platform to facilitate leasing and trading of passive infrastructure.
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Tech firms tweak office operations amid LPG shortage concerns
Infosys, HCLTech and Cognizant adjust cafeteria services and work policies.
MUMBAI: When geopolitics turns up the heat, even office cafeterias start feeling the burn. Several technology companies in India are adjusting workplace operations and food services as concerns over a nationwide shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) grow following escalating tensions in West Asia. Major IT firms including Cognizant, Infosys and HCLTech have begun rolling out contingency measures to reduce dependence on office cafeterias that rely heavily on commercial LPG.
The disruption stems from rising geopolitical tensions involving Iran after military action by the United States and Israel reportedly led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route for oil and gas supplies. The closure has disrupted the movement of LPG and liquefied natural gas across international markets, triggering concerns about supply constraints and price volatility.
According to a report by The Times of India, Cognizant has advised employees to bring their own meals to office where possible to reduce reliance on office cafeterias dependent on LPG based cooking.
The company has reportedly told staff that it is preparing for potential disruptions driven by supply prioritisation, price fluctuations and pressure on vendor networks.
As part of contingency planning, Cognizant is identifying alternative food vendors that do not rely on LPG. These include kitchens using induction based or solar powered cooking systems.
The company is also exploring partnerships with cloud kitchens that operate on electric or solar power to ensure uninterrupted food supply in case conventional cooking gas availability worsens.
Additionally, Cognizant is evaluating the possibility of expanding work from home or hybrid arrangements for non critical roles, partly to reduce commuting exposure if fuel prices rise sharply due to global energy disruptions.
Meanwhile, HCLTech allowed employees at its Chennai office to work from home on March 12 and March 13 after cafeteria vendors were unable to operate because of the LPG shortage.
Several food service vendors at the campus reportedly suspended operations as they struggled to secure cooking gas supplies, prompting the company to permit staff to work remotely for the two days.
Infosys has also issued internal advisories across multiple locations, including its campuses in Bengaluru and Chennai.
The company informed employees in Bengaluru that cafeteria services would continue but with reduced menu options due to concerns around commercial LPG availability.
As part of the temporary adjustments, live food counters have been suspended, and employees have been encouraged to bring home cooked food while the situation evolves.
While LPG shortages in India remain a developing situation, the measures taken by these technology firms highlight how global geopolitical disruptions can ripple through unexpected corners of the economy, even the humble office lunch.
For companies with large campuses and thousands of employees relying on daily cafeteria services, cooking fuel shortages can quickly turn into an operational challenge. Until global supply chains stabilise, many workplaces may find themselves rethinking everything from food sourcing to flexible work policies.
