Trai expects to complete recommendation on 4G by mid-2011

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) today said it is gearing up to come up with recommendation on the advanced 4G technology by middle of this year.

The regulator will float consultation paper on 4G within a month to start discussion with the industry.

"We expect 4G to come next year. At Trai we are readying ourselves for it and have floated the pre-consultation paper on 4G.

"In about a month time we expect to come up with consultation paper and recommendation around middle of this year, say by June," said JS Sarma, chairman, Trai while speaking at a CII event.

Trai floated pre-consultation paper in February 2010 and completed the process in March same year.

The 4G technology is considered to have 10 times more data download speed compared to 3G technology.

The data download speed of 3G technology is said to be in the range of 385 kilobytes per second to 2 megabyte per second while a user is on the move.

As for the data download speed of 4G technology, it is considered to be between 20 to 100 megabyte per second when on the move.

On the other hand, the Department of Telecommunications is also working on new frequency allocation plan (NFAP) on the basis of which a decision will be taken on the type of wireless technology to be used in a particular spectrum frequency band.

The new NFAP is expected to get completed by April this year.

DoT after finalising NFAP will submit its report to International Telecommunication Union - an international body which sets standard for technology to be deployed in a particular spectrum frequency band.

When asked, Sarma told PTI that these ongoing discussions among various bodies will not impact timeline of Trai process on recommendation for 4G technology.

Sarma reiterated the regulator will be able to keep it within the timeline of its commitment.

"Other countries have started rolling out 4G. Why can't we. We will also do it in time," Sarma said.