Qualcomm for inclusion of data in spectrum policy

New Delhi, June 8 (UNI) Making a strong pitch for the inclusion of data in spectrum allocation, US-based Qualcomm, a leading player in the CDMA mobile telephony technology player today said the Indian Government should rationalise and ''make corrections'' in its policy.

''The government needs to rationalise and make a correction in the policy to boost data as well,'' Qualcomm India&Saarc Government Affairs Director Parag Kar told reporters.

Asked on why rationalisation was needed to include data in the policy, Mr Kar said, ''Data will empower the consumer. In the visibility on the technology roadmap, data is going to be an important aspect and should be incorporated in the policy.'' On how much spectrum the government should allocate for data, he said, ''The government needs to evaluate and consider how much spectrum is needed for data.'' Both the CDMA and GSM operators have been at loggerheards over the allocation of Spectrum by the government, which is still mangled in controversy.

Under the current policy, CDMA gets only 1.25 MHz for every 2.5 MHz allocated to GSM players.

The migration away from 2G to 3G Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) is fast gaining strength with its wireless subscriber base touted to represent 40 per cent of the total global users by 2010.

''The year 2007 will be the last year when the global GSM subscriber base will show an increase at 1,911 million users, while CDMA will have around 580 users. However, 2010 will see 40 per cent of the global population using 3G handsets at 1,173 users while 3G users will stand at 1,752,'' Qualcomm India Chief Technology Advsior said while quoting a Yankee group study.

He added that 'the GSM subscriber base from 2007 onwards will show a downward trend.'' UNI RA PV VV1830