The GSM and CDMA operators have reached a deal to share infrastructure for addressing the heavy congestion in telecom networks and poor coverage in major cities. | |
| A working group would be formed in the next two weeks to work out the modalities on infrastructure sharing. |
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| The group would be headed by a joint secretary in the Department of Telecom and would have officials of the service providers as members, Communications and IT Minister Dayanidhi Maran told reporters after a meeting with CEOs of all telecom companies. He added that the impact of infrastructure sharing would be seen within the next 6-8 weeks. |
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| He said the infrastructure sharing would start with cities like Delhi and Mumbai before being extended to other metros. |
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| "There are large parts in city like Delhi, which are not available for private mobile firms for putting up towers. By agreeing to share they will have access to towers of state-owned companies," Maran said. |
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| "By coming together they can also get approval to set up limited base stations in sensitive areas, which they can share. This will improve coverage, address the problem of call drop and will benefit customers," he added. |
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| While private operators already have mutual agreements to share infrastructure, this marks the first time that state-owned telecom companies BSNL and MTNL have agreed to share their networks. |
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