Updated below
At the India Telecom 2008 Summit today, 3G services were launched with an inaugural video conversation between Telecom Minister A.Raja and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. However, that was just a “soft launch” – 3G infrastructure has not been fully deployed yet, and MTNL sources told MediaNama that the 3G network is present only in a 10 km radius around Central Delhi.
According to our sources, the commercial launch of 3G services is planned for the middle of February, though it could also stretch to early March, depending on the infrastructure rollout. MTNL is yet to finalize a tariff plan, and despite repeated prodding, the executives at the MTNL stall did not comment on the tariff.
We did get to try out some of the services that have been launched:
1. Video Calling:
Not really a killer app, video calling hasn’t been successful as a 3G service since not many users would like to see each other. We did take a look at the video call – there’s a hint of a lag between the voice and the video, but I, for one, cannot see myself holding a phone in front of me when making a call. It could be useful, as a journalist, to have a video recording feature though. Can do video interviews from anywhere.
2. Mobile TV:
At present there are mobile TV services from Aksh Optifibre. These are hosted on a portal, which is accessed via the mobile web. The content is streamed to the handset from the portal. The frames froze a bit every now and then. I’ll give it another go tomorrow, to get a sense of the channel switching time. But I dont know if the 3G networks will be able to provide good quality video streaming if 10,000 users are viewing a Cricket match simultaneously.
3. Video Surveillance:
This is slightly complicated – it involves connecting the surveillance camera to a broadband connection, which is then connected to the mobile handset through a 3G services. Users have to call 12345003, enter their PIN number, select the desired location and view the feed from the surveillance camera. The camera can then be controlled remotely using the keys 2, 4, 6, 8, and can also zoom in.
4. Mobile Broadband:
This is, quite frankly, the only aspect of 3G which appeals to me. At present, CDMA based USB modems offers erratic speeds of 4kbps to 8kbps.
The standard speed is of around 2500 Kbps, though it can peak at around 3.5 Mbps. MTNL has 3G USB modems for laptops.
5. Video Portal
I wasn’t able to try this out, but according to MTNL, users have to make a call to 52562, select a video portal and view the clips available.
Killer App?
For me Video isn’t going to be the killer app on 3G: I’m probably going to use it more for VoIP calls (perhaps using Fring) and accessing news and email. I will probably watch more videos, but not too often…so video won’t be the killer app for me.
If you had 2500kbps access on the mobile, how do you think your usage patterns would change?
Update: on second thoughts, given India’s young and h*rny male population, p*rn over 3G will probably get in the data revenues…legal or not. So yes, p*rn might just be a killer app.
This website uses IntenseDebate comments, but they are not currently loaded because either your browser doesn't support JavaScript, or they didn't load fast enough.
5 Comments until now.
VoIP calls would be blocked over 3G. Best use case – browse
“Update: on second thoughts, given India’s young and h*rny male population, p*rn over 3G will probably get in the data revenues…legal or not. So yes, p*rn might just be a killer app.”
Your ‘insight’ on 3G and its potential killer app makes me wonder if you are still single!
well, i am…but that’s not the point.
I’ve said this before – the infamous DPS MMS was a turning point in the Indian mobile handset context. It wasn’t an MMS sent over operator networks, but spread across the country via bluetooth. People realized that videos can be shot using mobile phones, and that content can be shared from one handset to another. You wouldn’t have expected a Bollywood song to have had that kind of an impact. Someone told me that 70% of docomo’s data revenues come from p*rn. Whether you like it or not, p*rn sells and makes money…
Music – full tracks and streaming!! Given that music related apps are the real money making machines in the VAS space, that should be the killer app for 3G.
3G and WiMAX Auction starts to roll in India with release of Information Memorandum!
The Department of Telecom has today released the Information memorandum setting in motion the process of 3G and Broadband spectrum auction. The document is available on the DOT website ( http://www.dot.gov.in/as/Auctionindex.htm) The start of the 3G auction is from 16 Jan 2009 and the BWA auction begins two days after the closure of the 3G auction.
For WiMAX, the spectrum will be auctioned in the 2.3 and 2.5 GHz bands. Three blocks of 20 MHz are on the block for auction. The exact frequencies vary from service area. For Delhi and Mumbai these are as follows:
2305.0-2325.0 MHz
2327.5-2347.5 MHz
2535-2555 MHz
Spectrum in the 2635-2655 MHz band with 20 MHz bandwidth has been assigned to MTNL in Delhi and
Mumbai and to BSNL in all the service areas except three service areas where they have been assigned spectrum
in FDD mode.
The eligibility requirement is to be ( or become) a Class A ISP, or a Universal Access Service Provider ( UAS) or a Cellular Mobile Service Provider ( CMTS).
DoT guidelines stipulate that a UAS license can only be awarded to an Indian Company. Hence, foreign applicants will need to form an Indian subsidiary to obtain the UAS license. However they are allowed to participate
in the Auctions directly, and apply for a license subsequently. ISPs as per present policy can have FDI upto 74%.
There is a rollout obligation of coverage of 90% of service area within 5 years.
In addition to the money paid for auction there is an annual charge of 3% of adjusted gross revenues (AGR). In case of BWA ( WiMAX) the revenues to be counted include those from VoIP, IPTV and regular internet access.
The license will be valid for 15 years.
More on this later..
hhttp://www.wimax-home.com