A number of TRAI consultations are currently active, with differing deadlines: so many, in fact, that we're finding it difficult to keep track. 1. Consultation on Public WiFi networks Comments deadline: 10th of August, 2016 Countercomments deadline: 24th of August, 2016 Whom to email: broadbandtrai@gmail.com Brief: TRAI looks to expand availability of Public WiFi hotspots in India, by asking how small entrepreneurs or even small-shop owners could setup hotspots and earn a profit from it. Essentially, TRAI is providing a wider meaning to the phrase “public WiFi networks”, not limited to WiFi hotspot created by licensed TSP/ISP at public places. MediaNama report on this issue: http://www.medianama.com/2016/07/223-trai-wifi-paper-internet/ * 2. Consultation Paper on Internet Telephony Comments deadline: 22nd August 2016 (extended) Counter comments deadline: 5th September 2016 Whom to email: broadbandtrai@gmail.com Brief: In this paper, VoIP calling apps like Ringo, Nanu, etc which transfer calls to and from landline/mobile networks came under TRAI’s scrutiny. The regulator termed these apps as ‘unrestricted’ internet telephony services since they can terminate or originate at PSTN networks used by telcos as well, while calls made purely over the Internet have no restrictions. MediaNama report on this issue: http://www.medianama.com/2016/06/223-trai-paper-voip-regulation/ * 3. Mobile TV / Digital Terrestrial Transmission Comments deadline: 5th August 2016 Countercomments deadline: 12th August 2016 (extended) Whom to email: mkasim@trai.gov.in or ks.rejimon@nic.in. Brief: To look at the viability of Digital Terrestrial Transmission, and examine the viability of mobile TV or DTT, and suggest a roadmap for it. MediaNama report on this issue: http://www.medianama.com/2016/06/223-mobile-tv-india-consultation/ 4. Cloud computing consultation Comments deadline: 8th August 2016 (extended) Countercomments deadline: 22nd…
