What is 2G and spectrum scam all about?

BANGALORE, INDIA: Today there is much talk about 2G as India's IT and Telecom minister A. Raja putting his papers over the alleged scam in the 2G spectrum allocation.

Here is a flash back on what 2G is all about and the scam involving it:

The second generation 2G cellular telecom networks were commercially launched on the GSM standard in Finland in 1991.2G has been superseded by newer technologies such as 2.5G, 2.75G, 3G, and 4G; however, 2G networks are still

used in many parts of the world.

2G spectrum

It is a spectrum which support 2G technology. High bandwidth is required for this purpose. 2G means second-generation wireless telephone technology. Three primary benefits of 2G networks over their predecessors were that phone conversations were digitally encrypted; 2G systems were significantly more efficient on the spectrum allowing for far greater mobile phone penetration levels; and 2G introduced data services for mobile, starting with SMS text messages.

Also read: What is 2G scam all about?

What is the specturm scam?

• 2G licenses issued to private telecom players at 'throwaway' prices in 2008

• 122 Circle wise licences issued

• CAG: Spectrum scam has cost the government Rs. 1.76 lakh crore

• CAG: Rules and procedures flouted while issuing licenses

In the Supreme Court

Also read: Only SC and ensure fair 2G Scam trial

The Supreme Court had recently admitted a public interest litigation (PIL) petition demanding a court-monitored investigation into Union Telecommunications Minister A Raja's role in the Rs 70,000 crore 2G spectrum scam.

The synopsis of the petition accepted by the Supreme Court, in part, reads: “The petitioners... filed a petition seeking a thorough court monitored investigation into the 2G spectrum allocation scam that has caused the national exchequer an estimated Rs 70,000 crore (Rs 700 billion) and huge national outrage. Simply in terms of the scale of money that has been swindled, it is easily the biggest scam that this country has ever seen.

Also read: What 3G auction fetched to the Govt

Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, one of the petitioners, in an interview to CIOL insisted that the monitoring of the investigations by the Supreme Court is essential given the magnitude of the alleged scam that reportedly caused a loss of Rs.70,000 crore to the national exchequer, and also the 'slow going' CBI investigations into the scam.

Thakurta further added that the modus operandi of the scam is an open secret and the role played by the Department of Telecommunication under Raja have been indicted by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Comptroller & Auditor General of India (CAG), Directorate General of Income Tax (DGIT) and the High Court of Delhi on different occasions.

“Even the Comptroller and Auditor General of India has objected the proposed bailout package which is a rare instance. It is interesting to note that the previous Chief Vigilance Commissioner has referred the case to CBI asking for a comprehensive probe. However, the process adopted by the government in choosing P J Thomas as the new Chief Vigilance Commissioner has led to apprehensions about the 2G scam investigations.” he said.