11 Sep : State owned telecom operator, MTNL, will launch the first ever 3rd Generation (3G) mobile services in the country on test basis in Delhi by the end of the current month. The trial network will be in and around the Capital’s Connaught Place area. Indoor trial of 3G in Delhi has already been completed.
The launch will give people a feel of high speed data, video streaming etc. which come as part of the 3G services. MTNL has already got ready the core equipment for the purpose. It is presently mobilizing the necessary radio equipment. The Company will formally launch the 3G services in Delhi by the end of this year. In Mumbai, the services will be available early next year.
MTNL is rolling out the 3G service making use of the necessary Spectrum allocated to it by Department of Telecommunications. DOT recently allocated one block of spectrum each to MTNL in Delhi and Mumbai and to BSNL in other service areas. This has been done ahead of the forthcoming auction of 3G spectrum for each telecom service area. DoT has already initiated the process for selection of the specialised agency for conduct of the e-auction. MTNL and BSNL will pay a price for the spectrum allocated to them equal to the highest bid in the respective service area.
MTNL plans to provide 3G services by installing 3G GSM core capacity of 750,000 lines each in Delhi and Mumbai. These lines are currently being installed. The Company has planned to expand GSM capacity in Delhi and Mumbai by 2 million each including 3G capacity.