DoT notifies revised timelines for rollout obligations testing and issuance of STRCs to reduce burden

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) yesterday notified the revised timelines for rollout obligations testing and issuance of Service Test Result Certificates (STRCs) in the direction of reduction of compliance burden. The testing of rollout obligations and issuance of STRCs will now be completed by LSAs as per revised timelines.

The time period for testing by LSA from the date of registration for base stations proposed to be tested up to 100, up to 250, up to 500 and greater than 500 has been decided as 2 months, 3 months, 4 months, and 5 months respectively. The time period of issuance of STRCs by LSA from the date of registration has been decided as 3 months, 4 months, 5 months, and 6 months respectively.

The LSAs will communicate the schedule of the testing date in writing to service providers at least 10 days in advance. The service providers will then process the data of test results as per the test conducted by LSA and submit the same to the LSA within 15 days from the date of testing.

Minor discrepancies are to be resolved in consultation with the head of the LSA within a time-bound manner so that the timelines are enforced. Major discrepancies will be referred to the Access Services (AS) wing and the same may be addressed by the AS-IV section in a time-bound manner, preferably within one month.

There might be a delay in the timeline due to various issues such as the service provider not agreeing to the testing date, SAFCA clearance delay, post-processing result submission to LSA by TSP for issuance of STRCs etc. The revised timelines are in force since 12th July 2022.