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Once operational, third generation services, popularly known as 3G, will
allow high-speed data connectivity on mobile devices. While at present data
speeds of broadband Internet go up to an average of 256kbps, on the other hand
3G services allow more than 380kbps on a mobile handset. This means that a 3G
subscriber will be able to play interactive games, watch a movie or even
download data in the form of a power point presentation from the Internet on the
go.
After spreading its wings in Europe and the Asian markets, 3G is finally set
to make its mark in India. With the telecom watchdog-TRAI giving out its set
of recommendations on allocation and pricing of spectrum for 3G and broadband
wireless access services, different operators, private and state-owned, have
been involved in terms of putting in place their set of 3G strategies for
rolling out 3G services and applications.
With India adding more than 5.5 million mobile users every month, it is one
of the fastest growing markets in the world and hence operators are trying to
deliver more to their set of customers. As a technology, 3G has got all the
capabilities to help an operator increase its revenue stream.
This is perhaps one of the primary driving forces why the government seems to
be acting fast on the 3G front today more than ever before. Getting the 3G wheel
rolling is certainly one of the topmost priorities not only for the regulator
but also for policy makers, services providers as well as the telecom vendors
today and leading the pack, Dayanidhi Maran, Minister-Communications and IT,
has already confirmed that we as a country should be able to launch 3G services
by latter half of 2007.
If we look at the present scenario, most of the operators are focusing their
efforts towards providing 2G/2.5G services but once these operators see a
continuous dip in ARPU they will have to launch 3G services in order to remain
competitive.
According to industry experts, keeping in mind the Indian mindset and
conditions, the killer applications on 3G will be video streaming, video
telephony, high-end gaming, bank statements on the go and even push e-mails.
Mobile handsets with built-in radio modems will be able to provide remote
control and diagnostics as well.
In addition to this, 3GPP (third generation partnership projects for GSM) and
3GPP 2 (third generation partnership projects for CDMA) are two new global
standards likely to drive local content and telecom solution providers towards
the creation, delivery and execution of multimedia content over a 3G mobile
network. As India moves full steam towards the creation of 3G ecosystem, these
standards will find new applications and services in the country.
As per its definition, in geographies that 3G is already being implemented
in, the technology is aimed at providing an ultimate experience in convergence
of four different technologies of communication, Internet access, broadcasting
and telecasting at a very high-speed.
Innovative services and applications
As more and more users are getting hooked to mobile networks, introduction to 3G
will mean innovative services and applications delivering voice but data as well
as video to the end customer. Whether it is GSM focused Bharti, Hutch or CDMA
driven Reliance or Tata-operators in the country are hoping that this overall
converged experience will drive huge adoption to 3G services in the region.
Specific segments in entertainment or gaming will certainly become big. It is
needless to mention here that availability of local content will play a vital
role in terms of involving the regional communities and user segments.
Once 3G services and applications are rolled out, subscribers will have ready
access to a variety of video-based multimedia content, including news clips,
sports highlights, movie previews, music videos, personalized video messages and
much more over their mobile phones.
As different mobile operators always look out for ways to increase their ARPU
(average revenue per user) the introduction of 3G services and applications will
give them the much needed boost when it comes to providing value added services
to their customers and also in terms of attracting new customer base.
According to its globally acceptable definition, the services and
applications associated with 3G provide ability to transfer simultaneously both
voice-data and non-voice data, in the form of downloadable information, e-mail
etc using the Internet protocol (IP) over packet-switching mode.
The recommendations of TRAI on this subject clearly spell out the technical
requirement, regulatory conditions and pricing policy. The spectrum identified
for 3G is to be treated as a standalone allocation and not an extension of the
earlier spectrum allocation of 2G. The range of frequencies considered most
suitable is 450, 800MHz and 2.1GHz.
Late movers advantage!
Interestingly, migration to 3G network in India is late, as already over 70
countries have rolled out 3G. Japan being the first country to introduce 3G in
2002 and having 40 percent of subscribers using 3G network as on date. Europe
launched 3G in 2003. India is expected to join the 3G club by 2007, provided the
spectrum allocation is done smoothly.
However, this has some advantages as well. Most experts feel that India will
have one of the most advanced 3G networks, as there are no 3G-legacy systems
here. While this may not be true for advanced countries where 3G was launched
much earlier.
As telecom operators are now keeping busy with finalizing their 3G strategies
and putting their networks in place, the acceptability of these strategies will
depend on the kind of applications and services they roll out and how useful
they prove to the end user. This acceptability of 3G will be a measure of the
technology's success in the Indian region
-Voice & Data Connect Page(s) 1
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