Reliance Comm seeks 3G trial spectrum

Joining the bandwagon of operators that have received spectrum in the run-up to offering 3G services, Reliance Communications on Thursday said it had applied for spectrum for third generation-services in 13 circles.

Sources in Reliance Communications said the company had sought 3G spectrum in six CDMA circles on its UASL licence, and seven circles where it offers GSM services to test its equipment and services for its 3G services.

The move comes in the wake of four major operators "" Bharti Airtel, Hutch, BSNL and MTNL "" having been allotted 3G spectrum to test their services.

With Reliance Communications in the fray, all the operators which have pan-India presence except Tata Teleservices will be launching their trial runs. However, sources say Tata Tele will also apply for spectrum to test its services.

The CDMA circles where the Anil Ambani group company has sought spectrum are Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad in the 2.1 GHz band. It has also sought spectrum in its seven GSM circles, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, North East, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Orissa and Bihar. It applied earlier this week.

A telecom ministry official has said the spectrum for trials is 1,000 times less than 3G's actual capability. The spectrum is meant for indoor tests and checks regarding technicalities, and not for commercial purposes.

The run-up to the 3G offering has seen major competition in the testing stage. Major differences remain unsettled among operators on which band the limited spectrum should be allotted and how it should be priced.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India is preparing its recommendations on 3G issues which will be submitted to the department of telecom this month.