BackGovt defers decision on 3G policy due to political uncertainty
Govt defers decision on 3G policy due to political uncertainty
PremiumFaster data: A 3G service allows live video on cellphones. It’s not clear if 2G services will be allowed to companies that get 3G licences in India. ( Sanjit Das / Bloomberg)
New Delhi: India has decided to delay the announcement of its policy for selection of firms offering what is called third-generation, or 3G, phone services until the Congress party-led government survives a vote of confidence in Parliament, after its Communist allies withdrew their support, a senior communications ministry official said. No date has been fixed for the vote but it is expected to be held in the coming weeks.
A 3G service allows high-speed data access such as live video on cellphones.
Changes in the policy being made include a new licence for successful 3G bidders, who will be allowed to bid only if they have 3G operating experience, according to a DoT document reviewed by Mint.
It is not clear yet whether the new companies will be allowed to offer the current second-generation (2G) mobile phone services on a 3G licence. Allowing that will likely be challenged by 2G licence-aspirants but not doing so will result in standalone 3G services that are not sustainable, a New Delhi based telecom expert, asking not to be named, said. Companies such as AT&T Inc., Deutsche Telekom AG, Etisalat and NTT DoCoMo Inc. have expressed interest in the Indian market.
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