MTNL dials data first for 3G services in Mumbai

MTNL, the public sector telecom firm, will introduce 3G data services for the first time in the country when it launches the service in Mumbai on June 30.

Since a 3G network allows faster data services MTNL wants to use its upgraded network to offer data services first to its subscribers, J Gopal, executive director, Mumbai circle, MTNL, said.

MTNL has about 400 subscribers for its 3G service which was first launched in Delhi in December 2008. The company offers voice services on 3G in Delhi.

The service was officially launched in Mumbai in May, but could not take off immediately due to upgradation of the firm’s existing network from 2G to 3G.

MTNL’s voice services on 3G would be launched on July 15, Gopal said.

“We are being assisted by Motorola in the network upgrade. The delay in deployment of some of the related equipment has resulted in the launch of the commercial services,” Gopal said on the sidelines of an MTNL function.

In Mumbai, MTNL aims to meet the demand of back-up that firms seek to complement their leased line connectivity between various locations through 3G.

“We would provide wireless connectivity back-up to a company’s leased line connectivity,” Gopal said. Through this mode companies would be able to get a data download speed of at least 1 mbps on a capability of 3 mbps.

In this mode, the company expects about one lakh subscribers in Mumbai in the first year of operation.

The PSU telecom firm expects to augment its capacity in about two years to service eight lakh users eventually once it completes the coverage of Delhi and Mumbai.

Telecom observers said that 3G providers, especially new licence owners, would use 3G spectrum to offer enriched voice calls and voice based services since value added services (VAS) provision would make them incur huge expenses. Currently, VAS contributes 9% on an average to telecom operators’ revenues.