Subscribers increases two fold:

SLT broadband grows by leaps and bounds

by Lalin FERNANDOPULLE

Sri Lanka's telecommunication industry has gained momentum with the rapid increase in broadband subscribers who enjoy a wide range of benefits from services offered to them.

TRC Director General, Anusha Palpita

Director General of the Telecommunication Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRC) Anusha Palpita said the number of broadband subscribers has doubled within two years which is a remarkable growth in the country's telecommunication industry.

The number of broadband subscribers has increased from 230,000 in 2009 to 650,000 this year due to the rapid development in the telecommunication industry.

"The quality of services supported by a sound regulatory mechanism has spurred growth in broadband communication which is fast expanding in the country", Palpita said.

The TRC was set up under the Telecommunication (Amendment) Act No 27 of 1996 as the national regulatory agency for telecommunication in Sri Lanka.

The regulator promotes sustained development in the telecommunication industry by shaping the regulatory process, protecting public interest and being responsive to challenges in an increasingly competitive environment.

"TRC conducts extensive research besides being a regulator to ensure an effective and smooth operation of transmissions in the country. " Those who fail to comply with the regulations are penalised", Palpita said.

The industry in Sri Lanka has grown by leaps and bounds with the launch of 3G mobile and high speed internet broadband services.

The launch of the Rs. 5b broadband facility in Jaffna recently is set to revolutionise the telecommunication industry in the country.

Palpita said that TRC is in the process of finalising the radio frequency re-aligning program to minimise interference and ensure an effective operation of transmissions.

"We have identified how to allocate frequencies for each channel. TRC will allocate two frequencies per service on an islandwide basis", the Director General said.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) determines the frequency allocation for services which comprises fixed applications, mobile, maritime, aviation and defence.

The frequency modulation for broadcasting in South Asian region is 87.5 to 108 mhz. Sri Lanka has around 45 radio channels which operates within this range.

An artistic impression of the landmark tower

Palpita said that a special unit has been set up to monitor broadband services and publish results in the TRC website. The TRC has released the first set of download speeds of 3G mobile broadband for January this year.

Four remote tests have been conducted in Colombo and the suburbs to collect random speed test samples.

The test readings obtained from the automated system have shown significant improvement in the download speed in all three services.

Palpita said that TRC will construct 350-metre landmark tower in Colombo which will comprise facilities such as restaurants, a banquet hall, an observation desk, 25-hotel rooms and transmission facilities.

The tower will be set up at D.R. Wijewardene Mawatha at an estimated cost of $110m. Work on the project is scheduled to commence by December.

International standards on safety, security, health and environment are monitored by the policy on towers.

The TRC will launch the national policy for broadband services shortly to introduce standards for the sector. The policy will address broadband impediments, infrastructure development, services and incentives to operators.

Sri Lanka was re-elected unanimously as Chairman of the Commonwealth Telecommunication Organisation (CTO) at the 51st Council meeting at Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago from September 15. Palpita said the re-election of Sri Lank to chair the CTO is a landmark achievement for the country's telecommunication industry which has been recognised globally for its quality of service.