The Hindu Business Line : 3G trials on 1900 Mhz band successful, claim CDMA operators

New Delhi, Sept. 5 With the Government close to finalising its policy for third generation mobile services, the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) players have claimed that the trials using the controversial 1900 Mhz band have begun successfully.

The trials being conducted in Andhra Pradesh on Tata Teleservices’ network is being undertaken to check whether 3G services in the 1900 Mhz band cause interference to the services offered by cellular operators using the GSM technology.

While CDMA operators claim that there is no interference, GSM operators are blocking the allotment of 1900 Mhz band on the grounds that their 3G plans using the 2.1 Ghz band will be disturbed. The Department of Telecom will depute officers to verify the CDMA operator’s claims by visiting the site where the trials are happening.

When contacted, Mr S.C. Khanna, Secretary-General, Association of Unified Telecom Service Providers of India, confirmed that the trials have begun. “We began the trials a few days ago and we have always maintained that there is no interference between 1900 Mhz and 2.1 Ghz bands. It is now up to DoT to verify these results before finalising the spectrum allocation policy for 3G services.”

The tests are being done using Chinese manufacturer ZTE’s equipment.

The results will have a major impact on 3G policy in the country. Most of the spectrum related discussions at present within DoT is taking place around the 2.1 Ghz band for GSM operators.

Even the discussions with the Defence Ministry for vacating radio frequency does not mention spectrum for CDMA players.

Though the DoT is considering allowing CDMA players to offer 3G services in the 800 Mhz band, the cost of offering third generation services in the 1900 Mhz band is much lower, according to CDMA industry experts.

Therefore if the ongoing trial is declared successful by the DoT, then it would enable CDMA operators to offer high speed wireless communication at cheap tariff compared to what they can offer on the 800 Mhz band.

On the other hand, if the claim from CDMA camp is found to be baseless then it will be a major victory for GSM operators who can push their 3G services.

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3G for CDMA users could get delayed
CDMA operators to run 3G trials in Jan

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