Tata Tele seeks clarity on high speed browsing on handsets

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New Delhi, July 26

Tata Teleservices Ltd is planning to further leverage its 3G-ready network to launch a slew of next generation data products, including high speed Internet access on mobile handsets.

However, since the Government is yet to throw clarity on 3G guidelines and timelines, the company will be seeking clarity from the regulator before moving ahead on this path. The company has already launched high speed Internet services through USB data cards for laptop users.

Speaking to Business Line Mr A. G. Rao, President and Chief Technology Officer, Tata Teleservices, said, "Technically we are capable of offering high speed data services on mobile handsets. We are looking at it, but there are some regulatory issues which need to be clarified before we can move ahead."

At present, Tata Teleservices is basically using a 3G technology called Evolution-Data only (EVDO) for offering high speed Internet access on USB data cards under the brand name 'Photon plus'. However if it were to extend the service to mobile handsets, GSM-based cellular operators could make it an issue since the Government is yet to finalise policy for 3G mobile services.

COAI complaint

The Cellular Operators Association of India had earlier written to the Government complaining about CDMA players launching 3G-enabled data services. So far the Department of Telecom (DoT) and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) have taken a view that operators with unified access licence can offer any type of service using their existing spectrum. If the regulator sticks to this position even for 3G mobile services, then Tata Teleservices could become the first private player to launch high speed data services on handsets.

Apart from offering broadband services, 3G technology will also enable Tata Tele to improve the quality of service. The company's 2G network has already been ranked as the least congested by the TRAI. "We are investing a lot on keeping our networks congestion-free. While most operators are focused on getting more and more subscribers, our focus has also been on offering good quality of service. Our engineers are trained to monitor the network all the time and we have set up systems that enable them to keep track of each base station," said Mr Rao. Mr Rao said that every engineer in the company has been assigned responsibility to a set number of base stations which makes trouble-shooting fast. "We have systems in place that let us know in advance as to which base station will develop a problem. So our engineers are ready with a solution when the problem actually happens," Mr Rao said.

Tata Tele is one of the few companies which have not outsourced its Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network to a vendor even though it has adopted the model for its new GSM roll-out. Mr Rao said that the company is evaluating both models and could also look at outsourcing its CDMA network if it works out for the GSM business.

Taken from Business Line

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