New Delhi: Telecom regulator, TRAI is understood to have taken a decision to recommend auction of spectrum for the launch of next generation (3G) mobile services.
TRAI is in process to make recommendations to Department of Telecom (DoT) on how to allocate spectrum to mobile operators for 3G services.
According to sources, TRAI held its meeting prior to recommendations given to DoT and a consensus was arrived at that the spectrum, which is a scarce commodity, should be allocated only through auction process.
To begin with, TRAI is of the view that only five mobile operators should be given the frequency. All these five operators should be among the existing players.
If these recommendations were considered by DoT then mobile operators, having pan-India presence, stand good chance to get the permission and the required spectrum to start 3G services.
Currently Bharti, Hutch, Reliance, Tatas and BSNL are the major five operators who have country-wide presence of mobile services. Among these Reliance and Tata are offering CDMA based mobile services while other operate in GSM technology.
Sources said TRAI has also suggested 2100 Mhz band for the 3G mobile services.
TRAI is also understood to have favoured issuance of atleast 10 license for Wi-Max services for the mobile operators. Wi-Max services are mainly used for data services and these operate under different frequency band.
Wi-Max technology is being considered by the telecom players for the mobile broadband services.
Earlier this month DoT had allocated 3G spectrum for trail basis to all the GSM operators to carry out interface check on a non-commercial basis.
The trial spectrum was given for one month and was 1/1000 of the actual 3G spectrum capability. It has to be used in a closed campus to see inter-operability of the interface with the existing system and is only for technical demonstration.
TRAI is expected to submit final recommendations to DoT by September 29, sources said.
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