The Hindu Business Line : CDMA operators may begin 3G trials soon

New Delhi, Aug. 7 Adding a twist to the ongoing battle for 3G spectrum, Code Division Multiple Access based operators are all set to begin trials for third generation (3G) mobile services using the 1900 Mhz band by the month end.

The operators have asked the Government to depute two independent observers to verify whether the trails interfered with GSM cellular services. The GSM operators have claimed that CDMA operators should not be allowed to offer 3G services in the 1900 Mhz as it creates interference with their service. DoT has therefore allocated spectrum to Tata Teleservices to conduct trials in Hyderabad to verify these claims.

“The equipment has been imported and ZTE is installing it. We should be able to start trails by the end of the month. It is crucial that we finish the trials before the policy is finalised,” said a CDMA industry spokesperson.

The outcome of the trials will have an impact on the 3G policy being worked out by DoT. In case it causes disturbances in existing GSM services, then CDMA operators will have to offer 3G services in the 800 Mhz band.

“Ideally we would like to offer 3G services in the 1900 Mhz band since the cost of offering services in that band is much lower,” said a CDMA operator. Even as the trails are yet to happen, policymakers are for not taking the 1900 Mhz band into consideration. Neither the presentation prepared by DoT for the Group of Ministers on spectrum nor the report from an internal committee on 3G policy mentions allocation of spectrum to CDMA operators in the 1900 Mhz.

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