No Signals

Sri Lanka’s telecom watchdog that is still debating the definition of unserved and underserved areas is facing a new challenge - defining the coverage of cellular service providers.





Sri Lanka’s telecom watchdog that is still debating the definition of unserved and underserved areas is facing a new challenge - defining the coverage of cellular service providers. Regulatory officials say cellular operators could claim coverage in unserved and underserved areas with the bare minimum signal strength.

The three fixed line operators, now with CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) wireless licenses are also likely to claim coverage with weak signal penetrations.

Regulatory officials say they could also have to introduce a quality of service criteria to ensure services actually reach the unserved and underserved areas.

The regulator is also considering hiring a consultant to draw up the definitions and criteria to tap the telecom development fund.

All telecom operators are expected to remit US $ cents 3.

80 to the fund for every international call minute terminated in Sri Lanka at the end of every month - as per legislation that was introduced in late 2004 and enforced