Even as the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India is yet to decide on the allocation of spectrum for 3G (third generation) networks for mobile operators, Bharti Tele-Ventures, India’s largest GSM mobile operator, is believed to be readying a 3G network rollout.
According to sources familiar with the development, Bharti is experimenting with 3G services, and a rollout is likely by mid-2006. Last week, Bharti Enterprises said that it will be launching 3G mobile services in Seychelles.Bharti Enterprises, which operates the Airtel brand of mobile service in Seychelles in a joint venture with Telecom Seychelles Ltd, will be investing Seychelles Rs 4.4 crores for the 3G network rollout.
"Seychelles will be a testing ground for the 3G mobile services for Bharti, because Seychelles is a smaller market. The learnings from Seychelles will be incorporated in Bharti’s 3G network rollout in India, which we expect to launch in 2006," the sources said.The sources said that TRAI is expected to announce the 3G spectrum policy in the next couple of months. "There are a lot of grey areas, and most mobile operators will not be in a position to offer 3G because the network requires huge investments in terms of technology, reconfiguration of electronics at cell sites and even new electronics," the sources said.
"In some cases, the whole network has be recast. The rollout is expected to be based on both 2.5G and 3G, because 3G requires high bandwidth," the sources said.
According to sources familiar with the development, Bharti is experimenting with 3G services, and a rollout is likely by mid-2006. Last week, Bharti Enterprises said that it will be launching 3G mobile services in Seychelles.Bharti Enterprises, which operates the Airtel brand of mobile service in Seychelles in a joint venture with Telecom Seychelles Ltd, will be investing Seychelles Rs 4.4 crores for the 3G network rollout.
"Seychelles will be a testing ground for the 3G mobile services for Bharti, because Seychelles is a smaller market. The learnings from Seychelles will be incorporated in Bharti’s 3G network rollout in India, which we expect to launch in 2006," the sources said.The sources said that TRAI is expected to announce the 3G spectrum policy in the next couple of months. "There are a lot of grey areas, and most mobile operators will not be in a position to offer 3G because the network requires huge investments in terms of technology, reconfiguration of electronics at cell sites and even new electronics," the sources said.
"In some cases, the whole network has be recast. The rollout is expected to be based on both 2.5G and 3G, because 3G requires high bandwidth," the sources said.