Trai recommendations on 4G services by year-end

On the heels of a highly successful 3G spectrum auction, the telecom regulator Trai today said it plans to bring out the recommendations on the fourth generation (4G) technology or ultra-broadband by the end of the year.

Chairman J S Sarma also said Trai plans to bring out a consultation paper on the 4G in the next two-three months. "Before the year-end we should be ready with recommendations on 4G," he added.

The fourth-generation telecom technology, known as the ultra-broadband, offers download at much faster speed and high definition video on demand, among other services.

The 4G services are a successor to 3G and 2G standards, with the aim to provide a wide range of data rates up to ultra-broadband (gigabit-speed) Internet access to mobile as well as stationary users.

Concerned by the slow offtake of broadband services, Trai also plans to bring the consolation paper on pan-India broadband soon. "We want to give the recommendations on the National Broadband Plan by July," he said.

On 4G, Trai would look into the various aspects, including spectrum band to be allotted and the quantum and mode of allotment to operators. A number of foreign players like the US-based Motorola and Ericsson have already started testing the 4G technology in various parts of the world.