MTNL has become the first 3G carrier in India by launching 3G mobile services in Delhi today. 3G spectrum auctions in the country have been a messy affair in the past. MTNL 3G services are titled ‘MTNL 3G Jadoo’! The 3G services will be available only to premium customers at first. They’ll have a trial period before they can subscribe to the 3G service. I don’t really understand what they mean by ‘premium customers’.
MTNL’s network is however not quite ready as yet. Currently only New Delhi MC areas and the NCR area of Gurgaon are covered by their 3G network. Motorola is setting up the core network infrastructure for MTNL. MTNL’s Chairman and Managing Director has said that 3G coverage would be complete in Delhi in about a month’s time. The services are expected to be launched in Mumbai in the next two months.
