Guidelines for 3G services The Government has released the guidelines for 3G services today.

With the introduction of 3G services in the country, additional value added services will be available to the public.

Guidelines for 3G Services: The 3G (3rd generation) mobile telecommunications is the generic name for the next generation of mobile networ s that will combine wireless mobile technology with high data rate transmission capabilities. The 3G networ s will be capable of providing higher data rates and will also be capable of supporting a variety of services such as high! resolution video and multi media services in addition to voice, fax and conventional data services. 3G spectrum will be permitted in the ".# G$% band. The 3G licences would be granted through a controlled, simultaneous ascending e! auction, by a specialised agency to ensure transparency in the selection process. &esides the initial, one time spectrum charge, it has been decided that the successful service provider would pay additional spectrum charge of '.( ) of their total *d+usted Gross ,evenue (*G,), as the recurring annual spectrum charge. This additional revenue share is proposed to be #) of *G, after 3 years from the date of spectrum assignment. The roll out re-uirements, including rural roll!out, as well as stiff penalties for non compliance of the same has been stipulated. .ergers will not be allowed during the initial five years. /o trading0 reselling of spectrum is allowed. The 12.* spectrum in 3'' .$% band for 45!26 applications would be treated separately from ".# G$% spectrum. 7f the 12.* based service provider(s) as for the 45!26 carrier of " x #."( .$%, they would have to pay an amount proportionate to the highest bid for spectrum in ".# G$% band.

Guidelines for Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) services The Government has also issued guidelines for Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) services . With this the level of broadband penetration in the country, especially in rural areas, will be addressed. 7ntroduction of &roadband Wireless *ccess (&W*) services will enhance the penetration as well as growth in broadband subscribers. Guidelines for BWA Services To begin with &W* services will be permitted in the ".( G$% band by 8*9: and 1ategory ;*< 79=s, besides &9/:0.T/:. 4ach service provider will be allotted spectrum upto " x #' .$% in ".( G$% band, for use by the service provider in >22 (paired) or T22 mode. The &W* services would be permitted through a controlled, simultaneous ascending e! auction, by a specialised agency to ensure transparency in the selection process. The base0 reserve price would be "() of amount for 3G spectrum. &esides the initial, one time spectrum charge, additional spectrum charge of '.( ) of total *d+usted Gross ,evenue (*G,), will be levied as the recurring annual spectrum charge. This additional revenue share is proposed to be #) of *G, after 3 years from the time of spectrum assignment. The roll out conditions, including rural roll!out, as well as stiff penalties for non! compliance of the same has been stipulated. . .ergers will not be allowed during the initial five years. /o trading0 reselling of spectrum is allowed. 6ther service providers will be considered for spectrum allotment for &W* services in the ".3 G$% band and 3.3 ? 3.@ G$% band. *fter assessing the compatibility with satellite based services, the allotment of spectrum in the 3.@ ? 3.A G$% band will be considered.