The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released a consultation paper on “Migration to IP based Networks” at a time when traditional telecommunication systems are migrating towards more powerful and viable internet protocol (IP)-based telecommunication systems.

Traditional telecommunication systems are migrating towards more powerful and viable internet protocol based telecommunication systems. Migration will result in co-existence of legacy network along with IP based network.

TRAI initiated the process for framing rules linked to modern networks that will be installed soon, especially for 4G services.

At present, there are regulations that ensure that none of the players face discrimination or cartelisation by their competitors by rejecting or degrading connectivity of network.

However, telecom networks in place are mostly based on old technologies. Networks based on internet protocol will start a new phase of enhanced quality.

The new IP based network as well as its co-existence with legacy network will give rise to several operational, interconnection and quality of service issues which needs to be addressed for the successful migration to IP based networks.