Thursday, September 14 2006 16:14 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Even before the real 3G mobile services takes off, competition at the trial level is hotting up with Reliance Communications applying for the radio waves for testing of interface for both GSM and CDMA based services.

"Reliance Communications has applied for 3G spectrum in seven circles -- Orissa, West Bengal, Kolkata, Madhya Pradesh, North East and Assam on 2.1Ghz band while for CDMA-based 3G trial services, it has sought spectrum on the appropriate band", a company official said.

A Department of Telecom official said Reliance has sought 3G spectrum for trial on CDMA-based mobile services on the same 2.1 Ghz band. The company spokesperson declined to comment on the band on which it plans to go for testing for CDMA services.

Reliance Communications had earlier also applied for 3G trial spectrum to Department of telecom but their case could not be considered as they had sought spectrum on 1900 Mhz band, which did not conform to the NFAP for their CDMA based 3G trials, according to DoT officials.

Third generation mobile services, which will offer broadband on handsets, operate on separate spectrum bands than the existing 2G or 2.5G. Mobile broadband can help users access high speed data, browsing, streaming in all voice, video and data.

Industry experts said 2.1Ghz spectrum band can also offer CDMA 2001 (EVDO), a version of 3G services.

Going for 2.1 Ghz band will be helpful to Reliance as the Anil Ambani company is seeking a national presence in GSM also.

Reliance will conduct CDMA 3G trials in six Unified circles of four metros and Bangalore and Hyderabad.