3G wait over, services to start before January ’09

By OUR CORRESPONDENT

Chennai, May 23: The much-awaited 3G-telecom services, which will enable faster data connectivity, will be rolled out before January 2009, said the minister for IT and communications, Mr A. Raja. The ministry has already drafted the 3G policy guidelines, which will be released next month.

Before the guidelines are rolled out, Mr Raja said he would meet the Prime Minister to take his guidance on the issue. He said the ministry of IT and communication is serious about executing its e-governance programme to connect rural population with broadband internet and all advance facilities by improving its telecom network.

Mr Raja indicated that with the 3G guidelines being made public, the controversy regarding spectrum allocation would come to an end. "Telecom players need to have a collaborative app-roach so that the end user also stands to gain the after effects of telecom revolution," he said.

Mr Raja said that he would meet the Prime Minister soon to discuss participation of foreign players in the 3G spectrum auction process.

Centre wants foreign players to come in, while Trai has recommended existing domestic players to participate in 3G-spectrum auction. "Foreign players can come in as there is 74 per cent FDI allowed in the telecom sector," he said.

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Spectrum for new AP telcos

New Delhi, May 23: The government on Friday allocated start-up spectrum to new telecom players in Andhra Pra-desh, a move that would increase competition in mobile telephony.

New players including Videocon-promoted Datacom, Unitech, Swan Telecom and Loop Telecom have been given start-up GSM spectrum of 4.4 MHz in the AP circle. (PTI)