Trai missed one big opportunity to offer a helping hand in the adoption of
the much needed greener technology options by the power-crunched telcos in the
rural belt, when it submitted recommendations to improve teledensity. Usage of
green solutions to bring down energy bill and opex is on the radar of many
telcos, but regulatory support, among many other things, is limiting the
adoption. Though Trai has recognized the importance of the complex power
management in rural areas, it did not spell out means and ways (read incentives)
for wider adoption of green solutions. Most of the recommendations are directed
toward empowering USO Fund.
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There may not be many takers for Trai's suggestions to have exclusive MVNOs
for rural areas. First, MVNOs focus on urban business; second, India is yet to
become a matured market for MVNOs to flourish. Stringent roll out obligations
for cellular operators never materialized in strengthening rural focus. Though
Trai is suggesting special incentives for MVNOs in rural areas, the story may
not be different. When MVNO guidelines were announced, Trai had missed
emphasizing these points. Trai's recommendation to offer support from USO Fund
to set up mobile charging facility which can work with solar power/meager power
supply at various public places is a welcome step.
Some of the remarks from Trai's outgoing chairman, Nripendra Misra, are
significant and timely since India has missed its target of achieving 180 mn
rural subscribers in 2008 (90.76 mn rural subscribers in September 2008). Out of
the total subscriber base of 400.04 mn (as on January 2009), only 27.6% is
contributed by rural India which constitutes 70% of the total population.
Current rural teledensity is 12.59 as compared to the urban teledensity of
81.38.
More telcos focused on the semi-urban and rural markets last year, yet
communications still remains a challenge for remote areas. Operators should give
priority to cover the remaining 31% of villages for mobile coverage from the
present 407,112 villages. State electricity boards should offer power supply to
rural BTSs on a priority basis. Power tariff can be made cheaper to telecom
towers as compared to commercial power. Misery will continue for 20% of the
5,93,731 inhabited villages that do not have access to electricity. On account
of lack of reliable power in rural areas there is increase in the cost of diesel
for running engine alternators for keeping exchanges, transmission equipment and
BTSs in the live conditions. Green is the best option, but the Indian government
should open up. There's a world beyond 3G and WiMax. Rural India is calling us.
Let us work together for more power, more communication, and more prosperity.
Baburajan K
baburajank@cybermedia.co.in
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