Consumers to get 10-12 3G service licenses

{image-3G services1_28072008.jpg news.oneindia.in}New Delhi, Jul 28: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has identified between 51 and 60 MHz of spectrum, the radio frequencies that enable wireless communications, in several service areas that will allow it to offer between 10 and 12 licenses to operators to introduce third-generation (3G) services. DoT identifies more spectrum, to expand auctions from earlier estimate of five in each service area.

This marks a significant increase from the 3G policy that DoT had finalised — and is awaiting government clearance — of auctioning only five licences per circle on the basis of an availability of 25MHz of spectrum. 3G services enable high-speed download of data like movies and music on the mobile.

The 3G auction will now be undertaken based on the fresh availability of spectrum in various circles.

Based on the higher spectrum availability, DoT will now be able to offer licences to 12 operators each in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu (including Chennai), Haryana, Karnataka, Orissa and Kerala; and 10 licences each in Kolkata and Madhya Pradesh.

DoT, however, has limited spectrum in Delhi (21 MHz), Gujarat (23 MHz) and Himachal Pradesh (21 MHz), which is enough to permit only four operators. The identification of so much extra spectrum is significant as there are few other countries that offer consumers so many 3G service providers to choose from.

OneIndia News