Introduction of minimum speed limits:
Broadband cost to reduce
Sanjeevi JAYASURIYA
The Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC) is to introduce
minimum broadband speed limits for the operators shortly to reduce the
broadband service cost in the country.
The broadband cost is high and the speed is low in Sri Lanka. This
has resulted in low penetration. However, an improvement in the speed of
around 25 percent could be seen during the past three months and this is
encouraging, Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL)
Director General Anusha Palpita told Daily News Business.
Anusha Palpita |
Measures will be taken to reduce the cost of broadband service with
the introduction of minimum speed limit for the operators shortly. This
is expected to increase the penetration and benefit the customers as
well, he said.
There are sufficient players in the telecommunication industry and
only an outside operator will be considered to bring down the broadband
service cost, affordability and high speed. There is room for
improvement with regard to data, he said.
“We are lobbying for comparatively low rates for the BPO industry and
there will be special consideration to provide support for the growth of
this industry.
There is a positive relationship between the GDP growth and the
internet penetration and measures will be taken to reduce the broadband
cost within the next two months,” Palpita said.
“The country’s mobile industry is stabilized and most of the
operators are making profits. We expect them to re-invest the profits to
enable more benefits to the end-users,” he said.
The introduction of minimum floor rate, which was implemented
successfully, has benefited the mobile subscribers. The TRCSL plans to
further reduce the minimum floor price of around Rs 1.50 in near future.
It is estimated that there are 14.5 million subscribers in Sri Lanka
at present. “We are expecting to register all the subscribers to
maintain a database. It will also ensure security and support easy
access to data,” he said.
The Kokavil tower construction is now completed with an investment of
Rs 270 million. Discussions are under way with the telecom operators and
a list from the Mass Media Ministry is expected to be finalized shortly
to share the services among the TV and radio operators.
With the successful completion of Kokavil tower the decision will be
taken to set up similar towers in strategic locations. The Cabinet
approval has been given to Colombo TV tower project to construct a
350-meter tower in Peliyagoda with an investment of US$ 103 million.
This Lotus Tower will be the tallest in the country with seven levels
housing a revolving restaurant, a 1,000 pax banquet, leisure centres and
an observation desk.
The basement will have a conference hall, a museum, shops and
restaurants. The ground floor will provide entertainment facilities
including water sports.
This tower is scheduled to be completed within 30 months of the
commencement of its construction which will be within the next few
months.
The tower will be managed by a public company owned by the TRCSL
where its shares will be issued to the public once the construction
process is completed.
There is a tender process to install fibre optic cable covering the
entire country, he said. |