3G spectrum services in 6-9 months: TRAI

Lucknow, Nov 16 (UNI) Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today said the advanced 3G spectrum services would be launched within the next 6-9 months in the country.

''The launch of the 3G spectrum services would also decongest the mobile telephone networks, which presently run on 2G spectrum,'' TRAI chairperson Nripendra Mishra said talking to UNI here this afternoon.

Speaking on the mobile number portability announced recently by the Telecom Ministry to be introduced next year, Mr Mishra said it would entail an investment of around Rs 900 crore for the telecom companies to upgrade their infrastructure to offer the service.

''A National Directory Inquiry would be set up to offer number portability, which would facilitate mobile phone consumers to switch their cell numbers between different operators,'' he explained.

Mr Mishra was here to address the Lucknow Management Association (LMA) Convention 2007 on 'Making of a Modern&Prosperous State -- Challenges&Strategies'.

The TRAI chief said India has the lowest mobile phone tariffs in the world, which was an outcome of competition and not regulation or government control.

Replying to a question, Mr Mishra admitted to the rivalry between the GSM and CDMA lobby over the issue of spectrum allocation, but noted that slowly convergence of technology was taking place.

''The CDMA operators including Reliance and Tata are also planning to launch GSM operations, subject to allocation of additional spectrum,'' he added.

Mr Mishra further said about six million mobile phone consumers had registered with the national Do Not Call (DNC) registry so far, out of the almost 225 million telecom subscribers in the country.

Former President of India Dr A P J Abdul Kalam is slated to address the valedictory ceremony of the LMC Convention this evening.

UNI