The government-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd started its next generation 3G mobile services in the country even as the private operators are still waiting to get spectrum through auction process.

Earlier last year, ahead of auction for private players, both BSNL and MTNL (for Delhi and Mumbai) were given 3G spectrum.  

For the private operators, the government has referred the issue of 3G spectrum auction to a Group of Ministers in view of inter-ministerial differences over the reserve price.

The Department of Telecom (DoT) had earlier announced a reserve price of Rs 2,020 crore for pan-India 3G spectrum but later the Finance Ministry proposed doubling it.

The matter was later taken to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) by DoT. In return, CCEA referred the whole matter to the GoM, which is yet to meet for the first time.

Meanwhile, BSNL CMD Kuldip Goyal said that the 3G mobile services would be made available on commercial basis from April 20 this year in Tamil Nadu. Goyal said 3G services customers would have three monthly subscription options of Rs 350, Rs 650 and Rs 1,350. Besides this, customers of BSNL would also get the 3G services through a bundle offer.

Not only this, the company would also offer a glut of services like live TV, high-speed mobile broadband and movie download through 3G services to its subscribers.

It can be recalled that a few weeks back, 3G mobile services were launched on test basis in Haryana’s Gurgaon and Faridabad districts.

Earlier, TN Chief Minister M Karunanidhi marked the formal nationwide launch by making the first video call to Union Communication and IT Minister A Raja. The services ware launched through video conferencing.