The telecom department (DoT) is set to approve Reliance Industries’ (RIL) demand that it be allowed to test voice services on its upcoming fourth generation (4G) networks.
The DoT wing looking into this has recommended that RIL be allowed to test 10,000 connections (for 4G voice services) and the company be allotted these many mobile numbers.
It has also said that the Mukesh Ambani-promoted Infotel Broadband, the only firm that holds fourth generation airwaves on a national basis, be allowed to connect its networks with other telcos for testing purposes, implying that these 10,000 people can make and receive calls from existing mobile customers.
The Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), the body that draws up standards for telecom products, services and networks, has also suggested that testing be restricted to a geographic area at a time, and the same infrastructure be used at different circles as the testing progresses. It also wants the government to allot time period like six months for the testing purpose and added that the company must not offer commercial services during this phase.
Infotel Broadband’s demands to test voice services is an indicator that the company intends to offer this facility when it launches high-end data services in the second half of 2013. Incidentally, RIL had sought permission to test voice facilities on its 4G networks despite existing regulations not allowing 4G spectrum winners to offer this service. But the new telecom policy, which is slated to come into effect from 2013, allows companies to offer all forms of communication services after migrating to a Unified Licence.
Infotel Broadband is expected to shake up the telecom market in the same way as it did about a decade ago when it rolled out low-cost mobile services.
At present, voice services are not available in the 2,300 MHz band, the frequency on which 4G or Long Term Evolution (LTE) services will be offered in the country. But voice facilities are available on other 4G bands like the 700 MHz that are used in the US and Europe.
Infotel had recently informed the government that it had indigenously developed what it termed VoLTE — voice over LTE — and said a trial would be helpful in maturing this technology platform. It also said that the trials would involve RIL employees, consultants and technology partners using these services, while adding that the company would pay interconnect charges to link its network to that of other mobile phone companies for testing purposes.
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