MTNL to offer 3G services from Feb 5
New Delhi, Jan. 29
‘Initially, the service will be available in the New Delhi Municipal Corporation area’
The company is planning to offer 3G services at under Rs 1,000 a month
Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd is all set to launch third generation mobile services commercially on February 5 even as private operators’ roll-out plans have got further delayed following a decision by the Cabinet to refer 3G spectrum auction policy to a Group of Ministers.
“We are ready with our 3G network in Delhi. Consumers will be given connection starting February 5. We are also selling data cards. Initially, the service will be available in the New Delhi Municipal Corporation area, which will be gradually extended all the way up to Gurgaon,” Mr R.S.P. Sinha, Managing Director, MTNL, told Business Line. MTNL’s and BSNL’s plans are not affected by the delay as they were given 3G spectrum last year ahead of the private players. This will give the two PSUs at least 8-10 months lead over the private operators. The other advantage is that the two PSUs do not have to pay for the spectrum until the auction for private operators is completed.
vendors worried
But the private operators do not seem to be too concerned about the delay as neither the Cellular Operators Association of India nor any individual operator offered to comment on the development. A section of the industry had been pushing for a delay in auctions on the ground that there wasn’t enough money available to invest in acquiring spectrum and laying out a new network for 3G services.
However, telecom equipment vendors and handset makers are worried as they were expecting more sales after the introduction of 3G services. Mr Pankaj Mohindroo, President, Indian Cellular Association, said “The delay was unnecessary and it is a huge disappointment. India could lose out on the benefits of bringing in an efficient technology such as 3G.”
Meanwhile, the MTNL chief said the company is planning to offer 3G services at under Rs 1,000 a month.
New Delhi, Jan. 29
‘Initially, the service will be available in the New Delhi Municipal Corporation area’
The company is planning to offer 3G services at under Rs 1,000 a month
Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd is all set to launch third generation mobile services commercially on February 5 even as private operators’ roll-out plans have got further delayed following a decision by the Cabinet to refer 3G spectrum auction policy to a Group of Ministers.
“We are ready with our 3G network in Delhi. Consumers will be given connection starting February 5. We are also selling data cards. Initially, the service will be available in the New Delhi Municipal Corporation area, which will be gradually extended all the way up to Gurgaon,” Mr R.S.P. Sinha, Managing Director, MTNL, told Business Line. MTNL’s and BSNL’s plans are not affected by the delay as they were given 3G spectrum last year ahead of the private players. This will give the two PSUs at least 8-10 months lead over the private operators. The other advantage is that the two PSUs do not have to pay for the spectrum until the auction for private operators is completed.
vendors worried
But the private operators do not seem to be too concerned about the delay as neither the Cellular Operators Association of India nor any individual operator offered to comment on the development. A section of the industry had been pushing for a delay in auctions on the ground that there wasn’t enough money available to invest in acquiring spectrum and laying out a new network for 3G services.
However, telecom equipment vendors and handset makers are worried as they were expecting more sales after the introduction of 3G services. Mr Pankaj Mohindroo, President, Indian Cellular Association, said “The delay was unnecessary and it is a huge disappointment. India could lose out on the benefits of bringing in an efficient technology such as 3G.”
Meanwhile, the MTNL chief said the company is planning to offer 3G services at under Rs 1,000 a month.
