The Department of Telecom will now have to take a call on permitting the usage of 'strings' like #, $ for accessing the high speed data in mobile networks as TRAI on Wednesday recommended their usage, saying without it the mobile customers would not be able to access the "always on internet connectivity".
The National Numbering Plan 2003 issued by DoT does not explicitly bars their usage but is silent about the usage of such strings to indicate the option for higher speed Internet access within the service providers' network.
TRAI is of the view that the strings used for keying in service option in a mobile handset is an integral part of the handset and are not transmitted further to the network. Also, it is felt that if the use of such strings in both CDMA and GSM/GPRS networks is not explicitly allowed, the customers of these networks will be deprived of access to high-speed "always on" Internet services.
TRAI said most of the basic and unified access operators, who are providing services through wireless-based network, expressed their inability to provide Internet access by dialing 172xxx as per the provision of National Numbering Plan-2003 pertaining to dialup Internet access due to technical non-feasibility.
Their customers are provided access to Internet services by keying-in #777 as a standard feature of CDMA handsets and $99$ and *99 # as a standard feature of GSM handsets to invoke the service option for high-speed Internet access.
{{/usCountry}}Their customers are provided access to Internet services by keying-in #777 as a standard feature of CDMA handsets and $99$ and *99 # as a standard feature of GSM handsets to invoke the service option for high-speed Internet access.
{{/usCountry}}TRAI has recommended that relevant provisions of NNP-2003, clause 1.6 of introduction Part and Numbers for Special Services described in Annex IV, be elaborated and clarified so that the usage of strings containing #, $, # etc. For indicating option of High Speed Internet access through wireless networks is explicitly allowed.