The Hindu Business Line : Way cleared for high-speed wireless Net

The Government on Friday issued a notification de-licensing the use of low power wireless equipment on the 2.4-Ghz frequency. The frequency band is used for broadband access on mobile phones and for wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) services.

Until now, the frequency was opened up for use only within a closed campus. The Government had earlier announced the decision to de-licence the frequency as part of the Broadband Policy 2004.

The Government has also de-licensed the indoor use of low power wireless systems in the frequency bands 5.15-5.35 GHz and 5.725-5.875 GHz. The indoor usage includes campus of an individual such as housing societies and recognised organisation or institution such as the IITs and IIMs. This will give consumers staying in a housing complex access to broadband Internet services on a wireless technology instead of dial-up.

"The measures were aimed at accelerating and encouraging growth in Internet-penetration, including hot spots for mobile Internet users and broadband services in the country for the application of tele-education, tele-medicine, e-governance and other wireless based services in these frequency bands for common use by the public," said an official statement.

The move will benefit Internet Service Providers (ISPs) who will be able to reach consumers directly through the Wi-Fi technology. Until now, ISPs could offer dial up access only through basic operators.

In the US, some of the ISPs also use the 2.4-Ghz frequency to offer voice applications in direct competition to mobile operators. However, there are issues regarding standards, which needs to be resolved before ISPs can offer voice services using Wi-Fi. ISPs will, however, be able to foray into the broadband services without using cables and at much lower costs than large telcos. This may also offer an alternative to Internet operators for losing out on leased line based on Virtual Private Network services segment following an entry fee imposed by the Government.

The number of hot spots, which is the area enabled by Wi-Fi, is expected to go up from 300. Mr Amitabh Singhal, President, Internet Service Providers Association said, "Since wireless is the way forward, this is a leap forward. But it would have been really effective if the 5.1-Ghz frequency was also opened up for outdoor usage."

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