Telecom Engineering Center, Department of Telecommunications, Government of India

Broadband definition and standardization of

Measurement method in the context of developing
countries like India having large rural population
Manish Ranjan (ADE-IT2), Abdul Kayum (DIR-IT2), Director (IT); J.M. Suri, DDG(IT);
Telecom Engineering center, Department of Telecommunications

Abstract:
Despite the rapid proliferation of telecom network, the benefit of information
technology has yet to reach a large number of people, especially in rural areas. The
digital era has opened up exciting possibility for India. We have long been bedeviled
by various divides between rich and poor, city and village, literate and illiterate,
besides the large socio-culture ones. Today, we suffer from broadband gap with
internet penetration significantly lagging mobile penetration.
As per UNESCO AND ITU report “Every 10 percent increase in broadband penetration
results in an additional growth of 1/3 percent in National Gross Domestic Product
(GDP)”. Government is pushing for growth of broadband in a big way, having
acknowledged it as engine of growth for economy and prosperity of people.

1 Introduction
In India, Broadband service is provided by TSPs and ISPs which are regulated by
DoT/TRAI as per license conditions. We all know that Telecom service providers are
not delivering the advertised speed to the customer and often hide under various loop
holes in definition adopted by DoT, TRAI and International bodies. It is felt that time
is appropriate for making service providers accountable to provide the actual
broadband speed as per definition/Advertised speed. However, the license
conditions are not mandating the service providers to provide speed as per the
definition of Broadband. It is observed that definition approved by DoT and
definitions adopted by various standard bodies are not same. Meaning of Point of
presence has not been specified in the definition by DoT. If we presume that POP has
the same meaning, as point of aggregation in the old definition of 2004 i.e. “where
multiple such individual Broadband connections are aggregated”, then we can’t hold
service providers accountable for the congestion in their core and aggregation
network and they shall continue to fleece the customers by giving false promises of
providing download speed as asked by the customers.
We recognize that the debate over speed itself is, strategic and engages the
interests of all market participants – policymakers, users, and ISPs alike. While we do
not believe there is a single method for measuring and reporting speeds that is

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appropriate for all contexts, we recognize the analytic and cost benefits from
narrowing the range of methods and from moving toward collective agreement on
best practices.
There is a risk that the focus on speed or a particular way of measuring or
reporting broadband speeds might distort market behavior. We believe promoting a
more nuanced understanding of how and why speed matters offers the best defence
against such adverse distortions.

2 Broadband definitions:
2.1 INDIA
a Broadband connectivity defined in Broadband Policy 2004:
An ‘always-on’ data connection that is able to support interactive services including
Internet access and has the capability of the minimum download speed of 256 kilobits
per second (kbps) to an individual subscriber from the Point of Presence (POP) of the
service provider intending to provide Broadband service where multiple such
individual Broadband connections are aggregated and the subscriber is able to access
these interactive services including the Internet through this POP. The interactive
services will exclude any services for which a separate license is specifically required,
for example, real-time voice transmission, except to the extent that it is presently
permitted under ISP license with Internet Telephony”.
b DoT has redefined the Broadband definition as:
“Broadband is a data connection that is able to support interactive services including
internet access and has the capability of the minimum download speed of 512Kbps to
an individual subscriber from the Point of Presence (POP) of the service provider
intending to provide the Broadband service”
c TRAI defines Broadband as:
“A data connection using any technology that is able to support interactive services
including Internet access and support a minimum download speed of 512 Kilobits per
second (Kbps)”.
2.2 European Union Countries: Basic Broadband:
“There is a range of definitions of ‘basic’ download speeds from 512 Kbps to 4 Mbps.”
2.3 Brazil:
Minimum 1Mbps download speed is defined as Broadband speed.
2.4 Egypt:
There is no clear definition of broadband however 75% of households have access to
Broadband (2 Mbps).

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2.5 South Africa:

An always available, multimedia capable connection with a download speed of at least
256 kbps.
2.6 Canada:
The Canadian National Broadband Task Force (CNBTF) decided not to define
broadband in terms of information transmission rates, but instead defined it as “a
high capacity, two-way link between end users and access network suppliers capable
of supporting full-motion interactive video applications to all Canadians on terms
comparable to those available in urban markets.” Based on the technology existing at
the time, it concluded that a minimum two-way or symmetrical transmission speed
of 1.5 Mbps per individual user was required to meet this standard.
2.7 OECD:
Services enabling at least a 256 Kbps advertised downlink Internet access is classified
as broadband by OECD countries.
2.8 Broadband as defined by the standardization bodies
a ITU-T Definition:
Recommendation I.113 of the ITU Standardization Sector defines broadband as a
“Qualifying a service or system requiring transmission channels capable of
supporting data rates greater than primary rate”.
b ITU-R F.1399 (Wireless Access)
Broadband Wireless Access: “Wireless access in which the connection(s) capabilities
are higher than the primary rate”
c ITU-R M.1801
Broadband wireless access is defined as wireless access in which the connection(s)
capabilities are higher than the primary rate, which is defined as the transmission bit
rate of 1.544 Mbit/s (T1) or 2.048 Mbit/s (E1). Wireless access is defined as end-user
radio connection(s) to core networks.
d ITU-R M.1224 (IMT Standard)
Broadband: “Having instantaneous bandwidths greater than around 1 MHz and
supporting data rates greater than about 1.5 Mb/s”
e IEEE802.16
Wireless Broadband: “Having instantaneous bandwidths greater than around 1 MHz
and supporting data rates greater than about 1.5 Mb/s.”
f ITU Status Report 2011:
This indicates Broadband in various countries as follows:

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“An Internet connection with a speed of 256 kbit/s limits the types of applications
and services that Internet users can enjoy. Service providers for data-intensive
services, such as Video-On-Demand, recommend a minimum speed of 2 Mbit/s.”
However, the report counts all connections above 256Kbps as Broadband.
g ITU Status Report 2013
As per ITU status report for 2013 on ICT facts, except Europe, USA and few Asian
countries, majority of the Broadband customers across the globe are still in 256Kbps
only.
h FCC:
The “advanced telecommunications capability” (high-speed, switched, broadband
telecommunications capability that enables users to originate and receive high-
quality voice, data, graphics, and video telecommunications using any technology) at
a minimum must permit an end user to download content at speeds of at least 4
megabits per second (Mbps) and to upload content at speeds of at least 1 Mbps over
the broadband provider’s network

3 Technological Impact of Broadband Definition:

Impact of change of Broadband definition on the Broadband Connections provided
through various technologies.
3.1 ADSL2+:
The theoretical distance Vs speed graph (Laboratory conditions) for ADSL
Technologies is given below.

Figure-1: Distance Vs Speed graph for ADSL technologies

Theoretically, there may not be any much impact on the customer reach because
of the increase of minimum speed from 256Kbps to 512Kbps. But these are
measurements under laboratory conditions where factors like loss due to cable joints,

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inter channel interference, noise due to interference from the atmosphere etc are not
taken into account
Practical scenario: However, based on the experience, present cable conditions
in the networks, 256Kbps works satisfactorily upto a distance of 4.5Km where as
512Kbps works satisfactorily upto a distance of 3.5Km or less. Hence there could be
an impact on the customers who are between 3.5 to 4.5Km and this may also vary
case to case.
The ADSL Broadband connections are mainly given by BSNL and MTNL. There
may not be much impact on the MTNL network being operating in the metro where
the customers will be located well within 3Km. However, there could be some impact
on BSNL which is to be practically seen.
3.2 FTTH:
There is no impact as it can support 512Kbps speed.
3.3 Mobile Networks like 3G, LTE
3G/LTE systems adopt 256QAM/64QAM/16QAM/QPSK/BPSK as the modulation
technique based on the distance i.e. received power level. Hence the data rate
received by the customer depends upon the distance of the customer (i.e. the received
power level) from the BTS. The speed also depends upon the number of 3G/LTE
simultaneous active customers under the BTS, accordingly ITU-R and IEEE has
defined Wireless broadband w.r.t the spectrum also i.e. ‘instantaneous bandwidths
greater than around 1 MHz.

4 Measurement of Broadband Speed:

There is no standard method for measurement of broadband speed as speed depends
upon a number of factors like customer PC, quality and distance of access network,
core transport network etc. Some of the international measurement methods
followed by various bodies are given below.
4.1 Measurement Method followed by FCC
FCC in its February 2013 Report of ‘Measuring Broadband America’ has carried out
the measurement of Broadband speeds being offered by various service providers in
USA.
FCC has different matrix of measurement of the bandwidth for various services
i.e. Web Browsing, Video Streaming, VoIP etc. Web browsing method (HTTP)
(Experience of Web Browsing) is done by downloading a file through multiple
sessions from popular US web sites (Typically 9) and finding the average speed. This
method takes care the access, aggregation and core networks of the service provider
as well as his connectivity to the international gateways. As per FCC report; the
participating ISPs also volunteered to establish two kinds of additional reference

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measurement points within their own networks. Some ISPs installed a measurement
reference point within their networks at a major peering facility, which represented
the mirror image of the SamKnows peering reference points. These reference points
served as a validity check and verified that the SamKnows measurements were not
significantly affected by peering relationships or other network degradations. Some
ISPs also installed measurement points at various ISP interior network points that
did not correspond to the M-Lab peering locations. These reference points were
principally intended to test for performance degradations caused by bandwidth
limitations in “middle mile” segments, or for effects caused by the specific design of
the network.
This indicates that the reference points within the ISP network shall be close to
the peering or gateway locations. Any reference point kept inside the network only
can test the cause of performance degradations within the ISP network.
4.2 Another popular method being used by many ISP’s is to install a Server in their
network close to their gateways or peering locations from where a file can be
downloaded using multiple sessions and the Broadband speed can be measured.
However, this method does not take care of the National / International Gateway
bandwidth taken by the service providers.
4.3 Mobile Broadband has other Issues also relating to air interface bandwidth: Mobile
systems adopt 256QAM/64QAM/16QAM/QPSK/BPSK as the modulation technique
based on the distance i.e. as the received power level is reduced, modulation level
goes on reducing. Hence the data rate received by the customer depends upon the
distance of the customer (i.e. the received power level) from the BTS. The speed also
depends upon the number of simultaneous active customers under the BTS. Hence
ITU-R and IEEE while defining Wireless broadband has taken into account the
instantaneous bandwidths also. Therefore, it is important that we should make
instantaneous bandwidth also as part of the definition.
Even though the Broadband ports are configured for 512Kbps, the actual speed
received by the customers depends upon the distance. Theoretical figures are given
in Figure-1 Based on the present cable conditions in the networks, 256Kbps works
satisfactorily upto a distance of 4.5Km where as 512Kbps works satisfactorily upto a
distance of 3.5Km or less. Hence there could be an impact on the Broadband
customers who are between 3.5 to 4.5Km and this may also vary case to case.
Therefore, the actual number of Broadband customers will depend upon the
Broadband Speed which we define.

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5 Point of Reference for Broadband Speed

Defining the Broadband speed w.r.t. the POP will only ensure that the customer is
getting the defined Broadband speed in the access network. But this is not addressing
the issue of congestion in the Aggregation or the core transport network of the Service
Provider. The Service Provider shall ensure the defined Broadband Speed for the
customer within his network. Hence in case the reference point needs to be defined,
it shall be w.r.t the Service Provider Gateway through which he connects to the other
National or International Service providers. The above points are important in case
we want to provide specified Broadband speed to the customer else the revision of
Broadband definition is not of any relevance.
We recognize that the debate over speed itself is, strategic and engages the
interests of all market participants – policymakers, users, and ISPs alike. While we do
not believe there is a single method for measuring and reporting speeds that is
appropriate for all contexts, we recognize the analytic and cost benefits from
narrowing the range of methods and from moving toward collective agreement on
best practices.
There is a risk that the focus on speed or a particular way of measuring or
reporting broadband speeds might distort market behaviour. We believe promoting
a more nuanced understanding of how and why speed matters offers the best defence
against such adverse distortions.

6 Challenges in the Broadband Eco System Development

Following technological Challenges are identified for enhancing the Broadband
Ecosystem:
6.1 Network Related Issues:
Building a strong network is the foundation for the success for the Broadband Eco
system
a Optical Fiber cable:
Optical Fiber backbone is mandatory for the usage of Broadband technologies as
wireless backhaul technologies cannot cater for the higher bandwidth requirements.
As a thumb rule OF shall reach each and every population cluster with a population
of more than 500 initially – say in the next two years (By March 2016). OF reach needs
to be improved to population clusters of having more than 200 by March 2020.
b Core and Aggregation Networks:
i. High capacity IP MPLS Core network is to be built reaching upto the district level
for carrying the IP traffic (Voice, Data, Video) of all the government agencies and
other service providers who would like to take the bandwidth share.

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ii. Carrier Ethernet based IP Aggregation network is to be established upto the Sub-
Block level for aggregation of IP traffic to the IP MPLS Core Network.
iii. GPON Technology can be used for aggregation of the IP traffic from the Access
equipments upto the Sub-Block level. At the Sub-Block level to the District level,
traffic can flow through the Carrier Ethernet Networks.
c Intelligent content aware networks:
The networks implemented shall be content aware for suitably treating the packets
for their performance objectives. Else the voice and video qualities will suffer.
d Unified Network:
It shall be a unified network i.e. all the IP traffic irrespective of getting generated from
Wireless, Broadband etc., shall be transported over a single IP network. There shall
not be separate IP transport networks for different access technologies.
e Wired and Wireless access:
i. Broadband access shall be through a mixture of wireless and Wireline
technologies and shall ensure that 512Kbps of Broadband speed is ensured to the
customer irrespective of the access technology and irrespective of the number of
customers simultaneously accessing the internet.
ii. The dimensioning of the network shall be based on the number of customers
simultaneously accessing the services. The number of Base Station Terminals for
wireless access, Broadband Ports for wireline access etc., is dimensioned
accordingly.
6.2 Application / Content Issues:
As the network reach and capacity gets augmented over a period of time, there is a
need to ensure that adequate content is made also available. More over there is a need
to change the practices in sectors like agriculture, health care etc., for promoting e-
business.
a Availability of local content
b Entertainment content
c Video Sharing
d Integrated Government services
i. Online payment of services like electricity bill, water bill
ii. Land tax
iii. Building tax
iv. Online linkage of fair price shops, PDS
v. Online linkage of issue of certificates like Birth certificate, community certificate,
death certificate, income certificate, marriage certificates etc
e Agricultural ecosystem:
The agricultural eco system also needs to be tailored in the following angles.

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i. Agricultural Products storage infrastructure

ii. Market price/demand survey
iii. Crop collection, storage, distribution to better priced markets
iv. Requirement processing
v. Linkage with Banks
vi. Ordering the fertilizers, Seeds etc
vii. Expert advice through Net / in Person for crop/soil problems
viii. Linking of agricultural land with land survey system
ix. Availability of machinery from central location for making more land cultivatable
x. Collaboration for Group farming
xi. Advice for crop rotation
xii. Rain water harvesting and irrigation system
f Health care ecosystem:
The health care eco system also needs to be tailored in the following angles.
i. Local nursing centers to take basic tests
ii. Video talk to doctor
iii. Passing the test results
iv. Local availability of medicines
v. Sending the non-available medicines from networked dispensaries
vi. Remote measuring instruments using remote probe and passing data through
special interfaces like DICOMM
g Urban and Rural requirements:
The requirement of content for the urban and rural sectors will be different and are
to be tailored accordingly.
h Integrated Banking Services

7 Conclusion:
a. License conditions may be modified mandating the service providers to provide
speed as per the definition of Broadband given below.
b. Point of Presence reference may be deleted from DoT’ s Broadband Policy 2004 as is
being defined by the standard bodies like ITU/IEEE and being followed by other
countries. “Broadband is defined as a data connection that is capable of supporting
interactive services including internet access, having instantaneous bandwidths
greater than (*)KHz in case of wireless access and having a minimum download
speed of (**)Kbps to an individual Broadband customer”
c. However, in case it is felt that point of reference is required to be defined, same may
be kept as ‘Service Providers gateway’

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d. The speed requirement may be decided based on current status of number of

Broadband customers and impact of number of Broadband customers based on the
increase of Broadband speed by definition. However, it shall be ensured that
customer must get the specified speed.
e. For covering the mobile Broadband in the definition, requirement of instantaneous
bandwidth is to be included as is being defined by ITU-R/IEEE.
f. Defining the Broadband speed w.r.t the Access POP will only ensure that the customer
is getting the defined Broadband speed in the access network. But this is not
addressing the issue of congestion in the Aggregation or the core transport network
of the Service Provider. The Service Provider should ensure the defined Broadband
Speed for the customer within his network. For ensuring that either the reference
point (POP) should be w.r.t the Service Provider’s National / International
Gateway/Peering Point.

8 Reference
i. Broadband deployment in California report appendix a – c, California public
utilities commission, 2005.
ii. ETSI technical report etr 338: December 1996.
iii. European commission report- on the implementation of national broadband
plans.
iv. Broadband in brazil,2011-mike jensen, world bank.
v. National broadband plan, Egypt, 2011.
vi. No. 617, 2010, department of communication, Republic of south Africa.
vii. Indicators of broadband coverage, dsti/iccp/cisp(2009)3/final, OECD.
viii. Samknows test methodology report, feb,2013.
ix. Understanding broadband speed measurement, steve bauer, david clark, william
lehr, Massachusetts institute of technology.
x. Broadband policy, 2004, department of telecom, India.
xi. I.113 of the ITU standardization sector.
xii. Building broadband,2010, tongsoo kim, tim kelly, siddhartha raja, world bank.
xiii. The Indian Telecom Services performance indicators, October - December, 2013,
TRAI, India.
xiv. Implementation of universal access to broadband services, 2014, ITU-D.

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