Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) is likely to recommend the IMT-2000 2Ghz frequency band for mobile operators - both GSM and CDMA - for offering third generation mobile technology services in its spectrum proposal.The move will benefit GSM-based cellular operators like Idea, Hutch and Bharti. BSNL, Bharti andd MTNL have already announced their plans to go for 3G services, which will allow advanced voice, video and data services on mobiles."IMT-2000 2Ghz band should be allocated to mobile operators for offering IMT 2000 service, which support both WCDMA and CDMA2000 (the 3G growth path of both GSM and CDMA). It is not desirable to allocate spectrum both in IMT-2000 and USPCS 1.9Ghz in a mixed manner to take care of the interference problem between both the bands leading to poor service and high network upgrade cost," a Trai paper said.USPCS 1.9 Ghz band (known as 1900 Mhz band) operates between 1850-1910, paired with 1930-1990 band, whereas IMT band operates in 1920-1980, paired with 2110-2170 Mhz.The regulator may recommend that 2x10 Mhz in the IMT-2000 2Ghz band may be allocated to each mobile operator, both GSM and CDMA. In case of constraints of availability of IMT-2000 spectrum, a minimum chunk of 2x5 Mhz of IMT-2000 2Ghz spectrum must be given to each mobile operator. According to the regulator, availability of 2x25 Mhz in GSM 1800 band and 2x30 Mhx in IMT-2000 2 Ghz band by December 2006 is a must to achieve the target of 200 million users.While Trai's proposed decision will not open up 1900 Mhz, it has suggested a lower frequency band of 450 Mhz band for CDMA players. CDMA equipment is available in the 450 Mhz band, and has been deployed in several countries.
