The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) feels that there should just four 3G service providers in the 2.1 Ghz band in any circle. However, with 40 Mhz of spectrum being available, it is clearly possible to allocate 5 Mhz each for all the seven big mobile service providers (BSNL/MTNL, Bharti, Hutch Essar, Reliance, IDEA, Tata Teleservices and Aircel). By charging Rs 1,500 crore per operator, the government can make a neat Rs 12,000 crore at one go.
There is also talk that DoT wants to provide 10 Mhz to four operators. Of this one of them will be BSNL/MTNL.
Telecom industry officials point out that under the Universal Access Service Licence (UASL)the existing operators can provide video and data services, which is anyway 3G.
More importantly, former telecom regulator, Pradip Baijal had admitted that 3g is a continuum of 2G services.
This according to telecom experts could be construed as a back-door entry for MVNOs. All the companies that either quit India or missed out on the India experience are looking to make a splash here now.
But if the government does go about inviting international players to bid for the 3G licence, then we could see a replay of the unending court battles against the launch of wireless in local loop (WLL) services. Only this time it could be bloodier as all the Indian operators will be together.
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