3G policy guidelines to be out in June: Raja

The much-awaited guidelines for the 3G policy will be out this month, assured Communications Minister Andimuthu Raja today. Speaking on the sidelines of a conference, the minister said, "It has been delayed for some time. I will ensure that the policy is out by the 30th of June."

"I met both the finance secretary and the telecom secretary today. The guidelines for 3G, spectrum auction, as well as on participation of players, will be out this month," he added.

Commenting on the issues surrounding the entry of foreign companies into the Indian 3G space, Raja showed optimism. He said, "Either ways foreign players will be permitted because 74 per cent foreign direct investment is already permitted."

The government has been at loggerheads with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India over the entry of foreign players. Trai had strongly opposed the entry of foreign players in the Indian 3G space while promoting that spectrum should be allocated only to the existing licence-holders in the country.

Explaining the government's stand Raja said that when Trai gave its recommendations only for existing operators, there were only five to six operators. "Now we have increased it to 12 operators. This will result in healthy competition between the Indian and foreign players," he added.

"All over the world there are four to five big operators offering 3G services. They can come either through FDI or open licence," he added.

Moreover, the minister said there would soon be a breakthrough in the Blackberry security issue in the country. He said, "By June-end, some kind of solution will be there."

While citing that security was paramount for the country, he assured that the Blackberry services would not be stopped. He said, "Other countries are providing this service and we cannot be left behind."