Telecom operators and industry analysts have pegged India’s launch of third generation (3G) telecom networks for late 2006, but a fresh roadblock lies across everybody’s path. Not only is the government yet to confirm the 3G spectrum allocation policy, Indian operators have also not been allotted spectrum to test their 3G equipment, handsets or networks.

A key reason for this is that test frequencies are currently occupied, besides which there is not enough room for all operators to test their equipment in the available bandwidth. As a result, even provisional test frequencies are not being allotted by the Department of Telecom (DoT) to operators.

By industry accounts, it can take six months to a year to test a 3G handset, equipment and networks before full-fledged services can be rolled out. The entire process can take a lot less time too, provided some of the elements are tested outside India beforehand. This, in fact, seems to be the chosen route for telecom operators in India.

Speaking to The Indian Express, Tata Teleservices CEO Darryl Green said, ‘‘Our application for provisions testing of 3G equipment was not approved by the government. It seems the test frequencies present a tough situation because they are already in use.’’

Last year, the government did allow Bharti Airtel access to limited 3G spectrum, but that was for an ‘‘extremely limited’’ time and then not for the company’s own use. ‘‘The government had wanted to demonstrate a video conference-like situation using telecom networks and Bharti did the job. After that, no more spectrum was allotted,’’ says Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman and Managing Director, Bharti Airtel.

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