TRAI’s 5G Network Slicing Rules: Quality Protection for Users

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has introduced new quality of service (QoS) guidelines for 5G network slicing. These rules aim to prevent service degradation for general subscribers, especially as commercial 5G slicing plans emerge amidst net neutrality discussions.

Under these proposed regulations, telecom operators may now implement distinct pricing for their 4G and 5G offerings. Each network slice will operate as a separate tariff category, requiring specific disclosures.

Operator Responsibilities and Disclosure Mandates

Operators must publicly disclose the measured download and upload speeds for each specific network slice. A network slice is deemed non-compliant if its actual download or upload speeds fall below typically advertised speeds.

Different network slices offering identical services, such as internet access, must adhere to the same QoS standards and prioritization. These standards are outlined in the 3GPP standard 15, with an equivalent Allocation and Retention Priority (ARP) value.

Telecom companies must also ensure sufficient capacity within each participating radio network cell to reliably meet the QoS for every network slice. This crucial capacity information must be disclosed to the regulator starting from October.

Operators are further required to maintain at least 80% capacity utilization of radio resources during peak hours within a 5G network. A strict limit allows no more than 1% of cells in any given area to exceed this 80% capacity threshold, ensuring adequate network headroom.

Shifting Commercial Strategies for 5G

According to Vinish Bawa, a telecom partner at PwC India, these guidelines could significantly alter how operators commercialize premium 5G plans. He suggests that justifying higher prices solely on preferential network priority may no longer be viable.

The focus for operators will likely shift towards offering differentiated experiences through enhanced service assurance, enterprise-grade features, robust security, and dedicated network capabilities. This moves beyond simple priority-based pricing models.

Global Regulatory Alignment

Trai noted that its proposed guidelines align with international regulatory frameworks, drawing inspiration from telecom bodies in the European Union, the United Kingdom, France, and the United States. This global trend acknowledges the importance of network slicing for various user and device groups.

The objective is to deliver specific network performance requirements, such as data rates, latency, security, and device density. This must be achieved while simultaneously safeguarding the QoS of public internet access services.