4G In India? So What Happens To 3G Now?

Last week, there were words about the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) seeking views of the industry on 4G Mobile Services and now according to a report, Tata Teleservices strongly supports the TRAI to phase out the process for introducing 4G mobile technology in India. 3G is already an old technology launched way back in 2001 and we are late by 9 years already. Also, 23 international operators will launch the 4G service globally this year. And if India gives in too, it will only help us match advanced countries in terms of high internet speeds.



There has been much fuss about the 3G launch in India and it still looks like the 3G launch is not going any where atleast among the private players. In such a situation we can not comment on what may happen if 4G spectrum bidding is announced too! We have earlier told you that 4G won’t hamper the 3G auction, but now it seems things may change to some extent. 4G provides 10 times faster internet speed than 3G and has support for live Hi-Def TV content. Now, if TRAI seriously plans on Bringing 4G to the country, why would any Telecom Operator waste money and time on implementing the 10 year old 3G technology?

BSNL already has 3G services up and running in various parts of India and the reaction of it’s 3G services have been mixed, i.e. both good and bad. Tata Tele’s interest in the 4G technology may have many implications. It is quite possible that Tata Tele is working hard to get infrastructure and machinery required for 4G and may be very well one of the first and earliest bidders for the 4G spectrum.