4 GSM players get 3G spectrum

The dry-run for roll-out of 3G mobile services is finally taking off, as the government has provided low-power spectrum to GSM players like BSNL, MTNL, Bharti and Hutch to carry out interface check on a non- commercial basis.

Spectrum for carrying out 3G trials has not been given only to PSUs, but to all that had applied under the National Frequency Allocation Plan on the 2.1 Ghz band, a senior Deprtment of Telecom official said.

The trial spectrum has been given for one month and is 1/1000 of the actual 3G spectrum capability. It had to be used in a closed campus to see inter-operability of the interface with the existing system and was only for technical demonstration, the official said.

"Some time ago, vendors had asked for 3G trial spectrum and we had given it and now whichever service provider seeks it under the NFAP, we give it," said the source.

As far as CDMA players are concerned, while Tata Teleservices had sought 3G trial spectrum, it did not get it. On Reliance Communications, the official said,its case could not be considered as they had sought spectrum on 1900 Mhz band, which did not conform to the NFAP for their CDMA based 3G trials.

"But if they (Reliance) ask us for spectrum on the 800 Mhz to carry out trial for EVDO (a version of 3G service for CDMA), we will consider their case," said the source.

Reliance officials, however, declined to comment.

GSM players operate on 900 and 1,800 Mhz while CDMA players operate on 800 Mhz. As for NFAP, 1,900 Mhz cannot be used for commercial purpose and DoT is still undecided on its allocation.