The rollout

Tata Tele and RCoM are offering 3G data services on USB card

More than 5,000 3G base stations already functioning

Over 40 cities have access to 3G services
 

New Delhi, Aug. 4 If the first few months are any indication, third generation (3G) services in India seem to be catching the consumer attention.

According to Qualcomm, which manufactures chipsets for 3G devices, there are already over half-a-million 3G subscribers in the country thanks to aggressive roll-outs by Reliance Communications, Tata Teleservices and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd.

Qualcomm estimates that at least one million 3G devices will be shipped into India by the end of 2009 though new spectrum is yet to be auctioned.

While RCom and Tata Teleservices have deployed EVDO (evolution data optimised) network using their existing spectrum in 800 Mhz band, BSNL is rolling out HSPA (high speed packet access)-based 3G services. Over 40 cities have already been covered by the three operators. But most subscribers are latching on to RCom and Tata Tele’s recently-launched high-speed Internet services through USB data cards priced at around Rs 3,000.

MAKING IT AFFORDABLE

Mr Kanwalinder Singh, President, India and South Asia of Qualcomm, told Business Line, “3G is already happening in India and it is not limited to just the top cities. Operators, including Tata Tele and RCom, are offering high-speed broadband services in cities such as Vijayawada, Coimbatore and Vadodara. Qualcomm is enabling the growth of the 3G ecosystem in India by making available affordable devices through a wide range of partners. 3G dongles, for example, have already moved from $50 to the $40-mark and we are working towards making it available for $25.”

Though at present 3G data cards and dongles are being sold by the operators, Qualcomm is working towards making them available off-the-shelf so they can be used with a pre-paid 3G connection from the operators.