Close of the heels of CDMA operators obtaining spectrum for 3G trials in India, 8 cellcos of the GSM lobby have obtained approval from the DoT to conduct trial runs in 20 Indian cities. CDMA operators have been approved to conduct trials in 1900MHz band but unsure of the cities. They are also eligible for spectrum in the 450MHz band.
The following eight GSM mobile service providers have obtained spectrum for 3G trial runs in 2.1GHz band across various Indian cities.
Aircel – Chennai and Coimbatore
Bharti Tele-Ventures Ltd – Bangalore, Chennai, Coimbatore, Guragon and Mumbai
BSNL – Chandigrah, Coimbatore, Kolkatta and Pune
Dishnet Wireless – Bhubaneshwar, Guwahati, Silliguri, Shillong, Shimla, Jammu and Patna
Hutch – Ahmedabad, Delhi, Mumbai and Pune
Idea Cellular – Cochin, Delhi, Hyderabad and Pune
MTNL – Delhi and Mumbai
Reliance Telecom – Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai and Howrah
Do you notice that the GSM wing of Reliance Communications Ltd, Reliance Telecom conducting trials in Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai ? Currently they don’t have 2G services in those circles but they do have licenses for Mumbai and Delhi and have promised rollout within 3 months. When the 3G spectrum is will be auctioned in India, Mumbai and Delhi are likely to receive the highest bids because 3G spectrum policy states that it can accomodate only 5 players in each cricle.
Related Reading: Check out here for chronological developments of 3G in India.
Tags:Mobile India, 3G , 3G India, GSM CDMA