Govt to introduce 3G mobile service

Government proposes to introduce third generation technology for mobile services in the country to offer expanded range of voice and data applications, Lok Sabha was informed today.

Key benefits of 3G technology were communications anywhere and anytime, wide range of applications, multimedia, internet access and imaging and video conferenceing, Shakeel Ahmad minister for state for IT and communications said in a written reply.

A total amount of Rs 1814.58 crore in the last three years (2002-2005) have been sanctioned by the government from the universal service obligation (USO) fund.

BSNL has laid out an expansion plan to add 77 million lines over the next three years to its present subscriber base of 46.99 million as on March 31, 2005. The total investment over the next three years is likely to be Rs 8400 crore in rural areas, Ahmad said.