TRC mulls tariff reduction

Indunil Hewage

*Kokavil tower commissioned on June 7

*To introduce Internet Protocol V6

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) is hoping for a tariff reduction in broadband and mobile facilities in the local telecommunication industry. “We see a drastic tariff reduction in prices of mobile and broadband facilities in the country and as the regulatory body in the telecommunication industry in Sri Lanka, we are planning to reduce the prices of all these services in the future,” Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka Consultant Dr Manodha Gamage said.

Sri Lanka has identified the deployment of the Optical Fibre National Backbone network development project as vital for achieving cost effective and reliable broadband network to interlink the country. Accordingly, under the directions of TRCSL, optical fibre backbone network of Sri Lanka Telecom will be used as the national optical fibre national backbone network, Gamage said.

TRCSL is hoping to introduce Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) which is the next generation of the Internet Protocol shortly.

The telecommunication and broadband operations in Sri Lanka have been improved in the recent past with the proper intervention of TRCSL.

Some operators who have ignored the TRCSL regulations and rules in the past have managed to adhere with telecommunications rules and regulations in the recent past in the face of close monitoring process of TRCSL. Gamage said broadband penetration in Sri Lanka is less than three percent. “We do not see many cyber crime activities taking place in Sri Lanka due to the present scenario, he said.

This would be the high time to educate the public on broadband facilities in the country.

The broadband access cost is also very competitive in Sri Lanka in comparison to other countries.

In addition, the Kokavil tower to be commissioned on June 7 will also provide broadband and other facilities for the relevant area in an effective manner.

TRCSL is committed to assist all operators in the country by providing enough frequencies and channels to expand broadband facility in Sri Lanka playing a mediator role between operators and customers.