India panel to submit 3G policy report in 3 months

date: 10th February 2001, source by: Reuters

An Indian government expert panel will submit a report on how the nation will roll out high-speed third generation (3G) mobile telecommunications networks within the next three months, the chairman of the country's policy-making Telecom Commission said on Friday.

Shyamal Ghosh told reporters on the margins of the software industry's annual conference the committee had to recommend choices from a range of options.

These included whether it would be appropriate to have an auction to offer licences, permitting the migration of existing phone firms into 3G services and inviting prospective licencees to parade their wares to enable selection.

"Certain frequencies have to be made available for the users," Ghosh said, adding this required the government to free up some wireless frequencies.

He said recent experience in Germany and Britain showed bidders offering high licence fees and then running into financial difficulties with investors.

"India must make its choice in the light of such experiences," he said.

Third generation networks are expected to aid high-speed data traffic and facilitate access of Internet through mobile devices.

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