3G players will be allowed in 2G space as well

[Gauresh]

Successful bidders for spectrum allocation for third generation (3G) telecom services will also be eligible to get spectrum space for second generation (2G) services, as and when any space becomes available, the Telecom Commission said here on Tuesday.

"New 2G spectrum will be allocated as and when it is available. Currently 2G is saturated and we hardly have any spectrum available, so successful 3G bidders will have to wait in queue to avail of 2G spectrum," Telecom Commission Member (Finance) R Ashok said on the eve of bidding for 3G spectrum.

The member's statement helped dispel rumours that 3G operators would only be allowed to function in the 3G domain, reports IANS.

Telecom Commission Member Finance, R Ashok said that successful 3G bidders will receive 2G spectrum as well but will have to follow queue as there are others waiting for spectrum allocation including the new entrants.

According to Department of Telecom (DoT) officials, Chennai and Tamil Nadu that were earlier two separate circles, will now be considered as one circle and licence-holders for each will now be able to bid for the new combined circle.

[ADITYA_M]

Britain’s Virgin Mobile has already partnered with India’s Tata Teleservices in order to enter the Indian market but under a franchise agreement to offer innovative service.