3G services from MTNL in New Delhi by October 2008

By September-end, state-owned Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) will be ready to test India’s first ever 3G service in Delhi. However, Mumbai users will have to wait until next year to experience 3G.

While, the Department of Telecom had allocated to MTNL one block of spectrum each in New Delhi and Mumbai, BSNL has been given one block of spectrum in other service areas. MTNL and BSNL will pay a price for the spectrum equal to the highest bid in the respective service areas. Meanwhile, private telecom operators are still waiting in the sidelines for the auction of 3G spectrum.

With the September-end launch, Delhi will see MTNL providing 3G services through the 3G GSM core capacity of 750,000 lines. MTNL has already got the core equipment for providing the service and it is currently mobilising the radio equipment needed for the purpose.  Aiming to make a kill due to the exclusivity of the service, has reportedly completed indoor trials in Delhi and is busy doing outdoor trials. With the launch by the month-end,  MTNL customers will get access to high speed data and video streaming.

Being the first to be granted the permission to distribute services among customers, MTNL would end the long wait for 3G services in the country.  MTNL would be extending the service which will enhance the mobile services available today and offer multimedia and internet access and the ability to view video footage. When the services go on stream, Delhiites with 3G phones can access the 3G network to send and receive video calls, watch live TV, access the internet, receive emails and download music tracks, as well as get connected with the usual voice call and messaging services.

How will it be different from the current 2G? 3G mobile networks can send data up to 40 times the rates of earlier digital networks, which means that in addition to audio, graphics and text, 3G customers can also send and receive video content, in 3G coverage areas. 3G networks are wide area cellular telephone networks which evolved to incorporate high-speed internet access and video telephony.

Post-Delhi, Mumbai’s 3G phone customers can get on to the bandwagon. By 2009, the service is expected to be launched in Mumbai too and later on across India.