(a) whether 4G services have been rolled out recently by some of the service providers;
(b) if so, the details of such service providers, circle-wise;
(c) the additional features of 4G as compared to 3G services;
(d) whether such services have been rolled out by BSNL and MTNL and if not, the reasons therefor;
(e) whether the Government also proposes to allot 2G spectrum; and
(f) if so, the details thereof and the action taken in this regard so far?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI MILIND DEORA)
(a) Yes Madam. BSNL and Bharti Airtel have launched 4G services.
(b) BSNL has rolled-out WIMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) based 4G services in the rural areas
of Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Tamilnadu (including Chennai), Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Hayana, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, North East, Assam, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh (East), Uttar Pradesh
(West) and West Bengal (excluding Andaman & Nicobar) service areas, which also include the new states of Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Chhatisgarh. BSNL has also rolled out WIMAX (4G) services in the urban areas of Kelara and Pubjab circles.
Bharti Airtel Ltd. has launched 4G BWA services hased on LTE (Long Term Evolution) technology in Kolkata service area.
(c) 4G offers much higher internet speed as compared to 3G. 4G technologies provides substantial level of improvement in performance and capabilities as compared to the 3G technology in terms of higher data rates. For example higher resolution video works better in 4G Technology in comparison to 3G.
(d) The wireless broadband services have been rolled-out by BSNL as detailed in Para (b) above. Despite of its best efforts, MTNL could not find a partner for rollout of BWA services on Franchisee model (revenue sharing basis), company has written
to Department for surrender of BWA spectrum.
(e) & (f) Yes, Madam. In view of the Hon’ble Supreme Court Judgement dated 2nd February, 2012, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has made its Recommendations dated 23.04.2012 on ‘Auction of Spectrum’. These are under consideration of the Government.