3G comes to Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai from MTNL and BSNL

January 2009 will see the South India’s Chennai circle as well as the north eastern region of India wake up to third-generation telecom networks.

According to Indian Communications and Information Technology Minister A Raja, while BSNL would roll out 3G services in these regions, the Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL), with operations in Delhi and Mumbai, will roll out 3G services in these two metros by December. This would make 3G available in most parts of the country, and will bw followed up by launch of the services to other regions.

The Indian  Union Ministry for Telecom is fast readying policies for Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and North East to get 3G telecom services through government-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL).

The government’s decision on allocation of spectrum had come about a few days ago. BSNL and MTNL, the two state-owned operators have been allocated spectrum, with one block released to MTNL in the Delhi and Mumbai circles, while another block set aside for BSNL for the rest of the country. According to sources, MTNL and BSNL have both been given 2×5MHz in the 2.1GHz band.

With allocation of spectrum done, the MTNL and BSNL have got into the 3G act and are said to have launched trials of third generation services, in Pune and Delhi.

The government is however yet to initiate the auction of 3G spectrum for India’s private telecom operators. Private telecom majors are waiting in the wings to get hold of certain regions so that they to have their chunk of share in the competitive field.

Meanwhile, even as 3G waits to be rolled out, the government has begun urging for a cohesive domestic and international policy to deal with the security challenges posed by the Next Generation telecom Network. According to he Telecom Minister there is a need for development and enforcement of common operational rules among interconnecting networks.

It is beyond doubt that government sees the Next Generation telecom Network as offering increased bandwidth, wider range of applications and reduced cost. Besides, many of its features are feared to have the potential to present a whole new set of risks. If this is to be checked, regulators need to ensure that the Next Generation telecom Network develops in a coordinated manner and in the right direction, the government feels.

The Indian telecom sector is already seeing many a revolutionary feature added every year. The latest having come in he form of 3G and Broadband Wireless Access , the next in line is expected to be  Mobile Number Portability. Resale of international private leased circuits would follow, it is expected.