Trai to probe RLT call drop mask in Hyderabad
Radio link time-out technology impacts phone bills, affects call quality.
Hyderabad: Are telecom operators adopting the Radio Link Timeout (RLT) technique to avoid call drop problems? Will this technology force customers to disconnect calls due to poor signals as against automatic call drops? Does Hyderabad top the cities across the country facing problems with poor mobile signals? Following several allegations on the matter, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has appointed third-party agency, Data Nation, to look for faults in the networks in the city. A source from Trai in New Delhi told DC that test trials by the third party agency have been taken up in Hyderabad and Bhopal where a large number of customers are allegedly facing call drop and poor signal problems.
The source said that teams from Data Nation have been working in the city and visiting every Base Transmission Station (BTS – cellphone towers) of the mobile operators. “The teams are concentrating on RLT apart from other connectivity problems. By Thursday, the agency will submit its report to the central office at Delhi,” the source said.
Several telecom operators who have fewer towers have adopted the RLT to avoid call drop problems. In this technology, the call will not be dropped even if the signal is not good. However, it is of no use to the caller as due to poor signals he or she has to cut the call.
An official from TRAI at Hyderabad told DC that the three-day test-trail had revealed that only BSNL and Vodafone had good 2G signal strength in the city. “For 3G, BSNL has good equipment which enables uninterrupted connectivity. The tests will be conducted on Wednesday too,” he said.
Telcos’ answers first:
Trai chairman R.S. Sharma told media persons in New Delhi on Tuesday that service providers would be asked to give details of the RLT technology used by them. “Before ordering a probe, we will seek explanations from the operators,” he said.
An official from BSNL’s operations wing said that calls won’t drop or voices at the other end won’t sound distorted if the signal strength is between 75 and 95. “If the signal strength is below 75, customers will experience breaks in voice and if it is above 95, the person at the other end won’t be able to hear the voice properly,” he said.
About shifting between BTS (cell towers) while travelling, the official said, “The network automatically shifts from one tower to another based on the signal strength. If the strength isn’t good, the call will be dropped.”