BSNL has launched 3G telecom services

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), the government owned telecom behemoth has launched 3G telecom services in the country.

Launched Sunday in the presence of Tamil Nadu chief minister N Karunanidhi in Chennai, the launch gives an advantage to BSNL over its private sector competitors who are still to be given licenses to launch the coveted services.

Notwithstanding the government funding and the government support that showed when BSNL and MTNL were given preference by allowing it to launch 3G services, the government owned companies have failed to make proper use of the preferences.

Once the only telecom operator in the country BSNL has faltered in recent years and has been relegated to also ran player in the telecom sector.

Late last year while making the announcement in this regard Communication and IT Minister A Raja had given an advantage to telecom PSUs - BSNL and MTNL - of allocating 3G spectrum ahead of others with a condition that both will pay the price equivalent to the highest bid

This was done keeping in mind the cumbersome process to procure equipment by the PSUs vis-a-vis by the private players.

Earlier 3G mobile services were launched on test basis in Haryana’s Gurgaon and Faridabad areas a few weeks ago.

The 3G platform will enable telephone companies in the country to offer high-end services such as high-speed internet, video conferencing on mobiles, interactive gaming, ultra fast downloads of video and music clips amongst other services. The PM also witnessed for sometime a live telecast of the India-England Test match on a mobile handset using 3G services.