We are into 3G stage now :-)

Indians have already joined the elite list of countries to announce a policy for third generation mobile service that will enable customers to enjoy voice, video, data and downloading facilities on their mobile phones.

• INDIA has 60 Mhz of 3G spectrum available. The auction will take place in the 2.1 Ghz band.
• The government has set a base price of Rs 2,020 crore (Rs 20.20 billion) for each bid for a pan-India license.
  
• Initially, there will be three to five operators to sell the 3G services, including state-run BSNL and MTNL.
  
• The state-run telecom firms have an edge to start the 3G services earlier than others as they do not have to bid for the spectrum as they only have to match the highest bid in their respective circles.
  

The plan:

1. There is no firm date set for the auction of 3G spectrum, but it is likely to take place before February 2009 since the government may need the money to keep its deficit within control
2. current estimates put the initial entry fee bids that the government will get at anywhere between Rs 30,000 crore (Rs 300 billion) and Rs 40,000 crore (Rs 400 billion).
3. In that case, by about December 2009, India may get broadband-type internet speeds on mobile phones.
4. Will allow users to view movies on their mobile phones, conduct video telephony while on the move, and so on.
   

What will 3G mean for you

3G is short for third-generation mobile telephony services.

3G guidelines will revolutionise the country's cell phone services, clearing the way for high-speed mobile connectivity in India.

3G phones work in higher bandwidths of 15-20 MHz.

Currently, mobile phones work on 2G or 2.5G, and use 30-200 KHz bandwidth. Bandwidth is a measure of the width of a range of frequencies used while transferring data from one point to another and is measured in hertz.

How do 3G services help us?

3G services enable video broadcast and data-intensive services such as stock transactions, e-learning and telemedicine through wireless communications

All telecom operators are waiting to launch 3G in India to cash in on revenues by providing high-end services to customers, which are voice data and video enabled. India lags behind many Asian countries in introducing 3G services..

What exactly do 3G spectrums do?

Third Generation or 3G is a generic term used for the next generation of mobile communication systems.

With 3G spectrums, your mobile can work for you even while you sleep. It sets your travel schedule and checks for jams along your route, whether you take the car/bus or the train. It can double up as cash and plastic money, a one-instrument payment system to pay for your tickets and purchases by simply texting the bank.

What is spectrum?

Spectrum refers to a range of radio frequencies. The bandwidth of a radio signal is the difference between the upper and lower frequencies of the signal.

(Outsourced from Rediff.com)

Warmth Ankit