MTNL to test launch 3G services this month

NEW DELHI, INDIA: Public sector telecom operator MTNL will launch the first ever Third Generation (3G) mobile services in India on test basis in Delhi by the end of this month, the officials said.

To begin with the trial network will be in and around the Connaught Place area of Delhi and by the end of the year, MTNL will formally launch the operations in other areas of the national capital as well.

MTNL officials informed that the indoor trial of 3G in Delhi has already been completed.

Set to revolutionise the telecom sector in the country, 3G will give people a feel of high-speed data, video streaming etc. MTNL has already got ready the core equipment for the purpose and is in the process of mobilizing the necessary radio equipment.

The service in Mumbai will be available early next year.

The Department of Telecom (DoT) had allotted 3G spectrum to BSNL and MTNL even before the auction process of the spectrum was in place. While MTNL got one block of spectrum each to MTNL in Delhi and Mumbai, BSNL got the spectrum in other service areas.

DoT has already initiated the process for selection of the specialised agency for conduct of the e-auction. MTNL and BSNL got the spectrum on the condition that the state-owned telecom operators will pay a price for the spectrum allocated to them, equal to the highest bid in the respective service area.

MTNL plans to provide 3G services by installing 3G GSM core capacity of 750,000 lines each in Delhi and Mumbai, said a press release. These lines are currently being installed.

The Company has planned to expand GSM capacity in Delhi and Mumbai by 2 million each including 3G capacity.