2G gets priority over 3G

The Group of Ministers(GoM) under the chairmanship of external affairs minister, Pranab Mukherjee, has decided to give top priority for vacation of defence spectrum for 2G services instead of 3G services.

The GoM, which was set up for vacation of spectrum from the defence services for the need of mobile operators, opined that at present the "spectrum for the growth of existing 2G services is more important than planned 3G services".

The defence services and DoT have been looking at vacation of around 25 MHz of 2G spectrum as well as around 15 MHz of 3G spectrum for telecom services.

The move might further delay the launch of 3G services in the country which was earlier expected to roll out in July this year.

A committee has been set up to come up with a plan for alternative network to facilitate quick release of spectrum without compromising the needs of defence and space plans.