4G rollout likely by next year

Even as third generation (3G) mobile telephony is still at a pilot stage, technology players are hopeful that the more advanced 4G will be here sooner than later due to its sheer economic advantage over the former besides its easy upgradability on the existing infrastructure.

"The 4G is likely to be in India sooner than later, as early as next year, because it is economically more advantageous than 3G, apart as it can be easily upgraded on the existing infrastructure," said Nikhil Sadarangani of JDSU India, a provider of optical products and solutions.

So optimistic is Sadarangani about its roll out that he said, 4G application trials are likely to rolled out by next year as the technology is already here.

However, 'its introduction in mobile handsets will depend on devices that are economical', he said adding that initial focus will be on data and services.

Joining in, Tata Elxsi sales head, communications business, Mrinmoy Purkayastha noted that the pace of technological advancement is very fast in the country.

"With speed as a consideration, 4G will be introduced here in a phased manner from next year. However, its transition from data services to mobile handsets may take some more time but by 2014-15 it is likely to become a reality," he said.

Already 4G trials are taking place in Europe, the US and Japan, the markets which already have 3G running. However, the actual global roll out will be in 2012, Purkayastha said.

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3G video calls rollout won't be impacted by security issue !!

New Delhi: Rollout of the much-awaited 3G services is unlikely to be affected by the security issue surrounding interception of video calling, research firm KPMG said.

"3G rollout plans have already been finalised by most operators. There are bigger challenges in terms of rolling out the services in a cost-effective manner and no operator has got a pan-India licence," KPMG Executive Director Jaideep Ghosh told reporters.

So, the rollout of 3G services from the operator's side is not going to change much because of this particular issue, he added.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had asked telecom operators Tata Teleservices and RCom to stop video calling services till they adhered to security norms for its legal interception.

Asked if telecom players would put on hold rolling out 3G services on the back of the government orders, Ghosh said, "Operators have paid huge amounts to get the licences and they would like to roll out services soon. I don't think operators would like to wait for six months or a year. Services would go on, only video calls have been put on hold."