MTNL to launch 3G mobile services on Feb 5
State-owned telecom operator Mahanagar Telephone Nigam (MTNL) will become the first telco to launch third-generation (3G) mobile services commercially on Thursday.
By ET Bureau |
State-owned telecom operator Mahanagar Telephone Nigam (MTNL) will become the first telco to launch third-generation (3G) mobile services commercially on Thursday. The launch comes in the backdrop of delays in rollout of 3G services by private operators with the 3G policy being referred to a group of ministers (GoM).
Auction for 3G spectrum was earlier delayed due to differences between the Department of Telecom (DoT) and the finance ministry over the base price and the number of 3G operators in each circle.
MTNL competes with private firms, including Bharti Airtel, Vodafone, Reliance Communications, Idea Cellular and Tata Teleservices, in India. State-owned telcos MTNL and BSNL were given 3G spectrum last year before the private players, giving them the first mover's advantage. MTNL has earlier said it would offer 3G services free to its high-spending mobile customers initially.
3G services on a mobile phone will allow customers to access the Internet and data applications at speeds of up to 2 megabytes per second. Mobile users will have access to advanced services such as video calls, broadband wireless data, faster online video streaming and a better gaming experience. Currently all mobile services are provided over the second generation (2G) network. MTNL's 3G services have been christened MTNL 3G Jadoo.
Motorola is setting up the core network for MTNL for this launch. Initially, services will be launched in central Delhi, including Connaught Place, India Gate, Pragati Maidan, Delhi Gate and Minto Road. The services will later
be extended to Gurgaon. BSNL is also expected to launch commercial 3G services soon.
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