Two parameters for voice calls on LTE network -- QoS Downlink PDCP SDUs Drop Rate and Uplink drop rate will be added to the QoS norms
Voice calls on Long Term Evolution, or VoLTE, networks will now be a part of quality of service (QoS) norms as suggested by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai). Till now, only voice calls from 2G and 3G network were part of QoS norms which depict call drops and other parameters of quality of networks.
New telecom player Reliance Jio's services are purely on VoLTE network, while incumbents including Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea have started VoLTE services in circles.
Two parameters for voice calls on LTE network -- QoS Downlink PDCP SDUs Drop Rate (DL-PDR) and Uplink PDCP SDUs Drop Rate (UL-PDR) will be added to the QoS norms and it should be below 2% benchmark. Even for call drops in 2G and 3G networks, the call drop rate has to be below 2%.
These parameters are to be reported as part of QoS Periodic Monthly Report from the quarter starting from October 1, 2018, Trai said in its directions on Tuesday.
Trai chairman R S Sharma had told DNA Money earlier this month that the norms will be announced soon. Instances of pauses or mute of voice were being experienced by the users during a conversation. In the case of LTE networks, there is a need to observe a drop or loss of packets in terms of Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) Service Data Units (SDUs). Packet drops may be observed on the downlink as well as on uplink.
Under call muting, a call is not disconnected, but users are unable to hear each other's voice for a few seconds.
The data will be collected by the access service providers in every quarter of the year in various locations of the identified cities or districts in the service area. Service providers are required to conduct such tests in at least 20 locations in each identified cities or districts. At least five cities or districts are to be identified for carrying out these tests.
"The measures outlined above would provide details about the call set up delay experienced by the users," Trai said.
Also, it was observed that users experience a relatively longer time to set up voice call in comparison to the time required for voice calls in either on 2G or 3G networks. The main reason for the delay in setting up of voice calls in such cases is due to redirection of the user to another radio access network, different from the 4G network to which he/ she may be latched. User equipment has to perform certain functions to switch to this new radio network and set up voice calls. However, this delay is not under the control of service provider.
The service providers will have to conduct tests, collect data and report to Trai on regular basis.
In February this year, Trai had come out with a consultation paper on quality norms for voice calls on LTE/VoLTE networks. Since this service was started in India in September 2016, these are not a part of the existing QoS norms, including call drops for mobile and basic telephony services.
According to experts, since these two features were not included in assessing call drops situation, the data for operators with 2G/3G/4G services will differ from operators which have only 4G/LTE services. The issue of call drops has hogged the limelight with consumers frequently complaining of a poor network, call disconnection among other issues. The government and Trai have been monitoring the call drops situation and stressing the need for operators to invest more in infrastructure. But the way data usage is exploding in the country, operators will have to invest hugely in their networks.
CLEAR TALK
- Two parameters for voice calls on LTE network -- QoS Downlink PDCP SDUs Drop Rate and Uplink drop rate will be added to the QoS norms
- The call drop rate has to be below 2% benchmark such as in the case of 2G and 3G networks
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