Telecom regulator TRAI has recommended (pdf) setting up of Public Data Offices (PDOs) that provides “last-mile” WiFi connectivity in areas where connectivity is low. It proposed a model wherein small entrepreneurs and shop owners could set up WiFi hotspots (or PDOs) by acquiring bandwidth from multiple Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and re-sell bandwidth as data to end customers at a cheaper rate. In order to ease spectrum acquisition for those setting up PDOs, TRAI suggested setting up of a Public Data Office Aggregator (PDOA)—a bandwidth aggregator which buys spectrum from multiple ISPs and provide them to PDO owners at cheaper proportions, without PDOs requiring to register for a telecom license. The PDOAs can also aggregate Internet bandwidth from existing WiFi hotspots in a locality and sell them to customers at a retail level. ISPs are allowed to charge differential commercial tariffs while leasing spectrum to PDOAs. “PDOs will be venue owners. These may not own or deploy any infrastructure and may not have the means or resources to actually implement a seamless interoperable system on their own. This is where the role of a PDOA comes in…PDOAs will be registered with the DoT and there should be no limit on the number of PDOs (venues) that such a PDOA can register,” TRAI added. Why TRAI wants to set up PDOs The regulator mentioned that PDOs are expected to contribute towards increasing connectivity, especially in rural areas. Existing ISPs and telcos do not have any form of incentive push to deliver…
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