Telecom operators are pushing back against several proposals from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) covering 5G network slicing, network capacity utilisation, service quality and consumer-facing quality-of-service requirements. The consultation has brought the technical and commercial challenges of regulating 5G networks into focus, particularly as operators begin looking at network slicing as a way to build specialised services for enterprises.
TRAI released its consultation paper on draft amendments to the Standards of Quality of Service of Access and Broadband Services Regulations on August 5, 2026. The consultation has since closed, and TRAI held an open-house discussion on September 30 to hear stakeholder views. The proposals have therefore not yet become final regulations.
Telcos Question the 80% Network Utilisation Threshold
One of the major points of disagreement is TRAI’s proposal around Physical Resource Block (PRB) utilisation in 5G networks. The framework proposes regulatory intervention when resource utilisation crosses an 80% threshold during peak periods on multiple days.
Jio and Airtel have argued that such an internal network metric may not accurately represent the quality experienced by customers. Operators have instead favoured an outcome-based approach that measures parameters such as speed, latency and other consumer-facing service indicators.
Vodafone Idea has also raised concerns about the proposed threshold and suggested that a technology-neutral quality-of-service framework could be more appropriate.
The disagreement is important because modern mobile networks dynamically allocate resources depending on traffic conditions. A fixed utilisation threshold could affect how operators manage capacity during periods of heavy demand, although the regulator’s objective is to ensure that specialised services do not compromise the quality of the wider network.
Why 5G Network Slicing Is at the Centre of the Debate
Network slicing allows an operator to create multiple virtual networks on top of the same physical infrastructure. Each slice can be configured for different requirements, such as higher reliability, lower latency or specific performance levels.
For example, an enterprise could use a dedicated slice for industrial automation, while another slice could be configured for applications that require low latency. The technology is therefore expected to play an important role in the next stage of 5G monetisation.
TRAI’s proposed framework attempts to introduce regulatory safeguards around these differentiated services. Operators, however, are concerned that excessive regulation of the underlying network architecture could make it harder to introduce and modify commercial 5G services quickly.
Operators Object to 21-Day Advance Notification
Another proposal attracting industry criticism is the requirement for operators to notify TRAI 21 days before launching a new network slice.
Telecom companies have argued that such a requirement could slow down the deployment of enterprise services, particularly when customers expect operators to configure specialised connectivity based on changing business requirements.
Operators have also raised concerns about the possibility of commercially sensitive information being exposed through the notification process. The industry view, as reported during the consultation, is that network-slicing regulation should focus primarily on the quality delivered to customers rather than prescribing detailed internal network processes.
BSNL Faces a Different Set of Concerns
The proposed framework also has implications for BSNL as it continues expanding its 4G network and preparing for wider 5G deployment.
For a network undergoing a large-scale technology rollout, additional quality-of-service monitoring, compliance requirements and financial consequences for failing to meet prescribed benchmarks could increase operating costs. BSNL’s concerns therefore have to be considered alongside its broader network expansion requirements, particularly in rural and less commercially attractive areas.
However, it is important to distinguish the operator’s position from the final regulatory outcome. TRAI is still considering stakeholder submissions, and the consultation process does not itself establish that BSNL or other operators will ultimately face the specific penalties described in some reports.
Consumer Groups Want Stronger Quality Standards
Consumer representatives have taken a different position in the debate. They have supported stronger service-quality requirements and greater transparency, arguing that customers should have clearer information about the actual quality of connectivity being offered.
The debate therefore goes beyond network engineering. TRAI is effectively trying to determine how much control operators should retain over their internal network management while ensuring that specialised 5G services do not result in poorer service for ordinary customers.
Consumer groups have also backed stronger safeguards around coverage information and service quality, while operators have warned that additional compliance requirements could increase costs and affect innovation.
What Happens Next?
The consultation is now at the stakeholder-feedback stage rather than the enforcement stage. TRAI released the draft amendments in August, accepted comments, and conducted its open-house discussion on September 30. The regulator will need to consider the submissions before deciding whether to retain, modify or remove individual provisions.
For telecom operators, the final treatment of network slicing will be particularly important as enterprise 5G services develop. A framework that focuses heavily on internal network parameters could affect how quickly operators can introduce differentiated services, while a framework based primarily on customer-facing outcomes could give operators greater flexibility in managing their networks.
For consumers, the eventual rules could influence the quality and transparency of 5G services as operators begin offering more specialised connectivity. The challenge for TRAI will be balancing those requirements with the technical realities of dynamically managed 5G networks.
For now, the key point is that TRAI’s 5G slicing and QoS framework is still under consideration. The disagreements between the regulator, telecom operators and consumer representatives are part of the consultation process, and the final rules could differ from the proposals currently being debated.
