Spectrum solution goes high-tech

Confronted with a severe spectrum crunch, Indian telecom operators are looking at new technologies from around the world in an attempt to expand their networks.

These include routing mobile calls through fixed lines, use of commercial power lines to carry voice and data, integrating fixed and wireless services to have a common phone number, and WiMax-based applications.

Top on everybody's list is a technology that is currently being implemented in Europe, especially in the United Kingdom, where calls to and from mobile subscribers are transferred to the fixed network when the handset is used inside a building.

This technology builds on the fact that over 60 per cent of mobile calls originate and terminate within buildings, and if, for the last mile, the call could travel on a fixed line, it would relieve a lot of scarce spectrum.

"India must move towards next generation networks before we can implement this technology, and either convergence or unified licensing must be notified for this to be legal. We have repeatedly pushed for unified licensing for creating an enabling environment," Trai chairman Pradip Baijal told Business Standard.

"Also on the cards is the system in Hong Kong and the US, where commercial power lines, including building wiring for power supply, are being used to provide telecommunication services," said an executive with a cellular services operator.

According to sources, Intel is all set to launch a trial phase of broadband Internet over power lines in India in the first quarter of 2006.

The government is also formulating a plan to promote broadband over power line in the upcoming telecom policy. It has been predicted that broadband alone through power lines will generate revenues globally to the tune of $4.4 billion in 2011.

Additionally, Trai has also called for a common licence for broadcasters and telecom service providers - a move that will enable phone services to be routed through cable lines and save on spectrum.

"Another option we have listed is to integrate fixed and mobile services to enable subscribers to have a common phone number," said a Trai official.

Like the earlier technology, whenever the subscriber is home, calls can be routed to the fixed line resulting in efficient use of spectrum, which in turn will lead to further tariff reductions, the official added.

All leading operators have also been doing trial runs for launching WiMax (short for Worldwide Interoperability of Microwave Access), a standards-based wireless technology that provides high-throughput broadband connections over long distances.

"Global majors such as Alcatel and Motorola have joined hands with Indian service providers as WiMax has enormous potential to extend the access networks into areas that are underserved or have no penetration," added an industry analyst.