Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji (SB)

Panaji, Jul 20: Goa will get Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited’s (BSNL) third generation (3G) facilities very soon, stated member of parliament Shantaram Naik in a statement issued from New Delhi. Goa is one among 100 cities, mostly covering northern and western India that BSNL has planned to connect with 3G facilities.

Union minister for communication and information technology A Raja informed Naik in a written reply that BSNL is providing 3G facilities in 100 cities in the country besides, the facility being provided by Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) in Delhi and Mumbai areas. The mobile telecommunications is the generic name for the next generation of mobile networks that combines wireless mobile technology with high data rate transmission capabilities. The 3G network is capable of providing higher data rates up to 2 mbps and supporting a variety of services such as high-resolution video and multi-media services in addition to voice, fax and conventional data services, minister stated.

Minister stated that 3G facilities are provided to the public after due verification of identity and address proof documents. BSNL and MTNL offer tariff plans for both prepaid and postpaid connections. One spectrum block of 5 MHz has been allocated to the MTNL (Delhi and Mumbai) and BSNL in all other 20 service areas, he added.
 
Further minister clarified that 3G spectrum would be allocated to private operators on the basis of an auction which will determine the price to be paid by the buyers. BSNL and MTNL will not participate in auction but will pay the matching price of successful bidder.