India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will ask Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular to called off their mutual agreement for 3G roaming and stop 3G Roaming services via ICRA in non-3G circles immediately.
According to ET Reports, India’s Law ministry has said that the Department of telecommunications (DoT) can initiate action, including terminating mobile service licences of Bharti Airtel, Vodafone India and Idea Cellular, for allegedly violating licence terms and conditions and entering into bilateral 3G Roaming agreements in areas where they did not have 3G licences and spectrum.
Earlier the DoT had sought the Law ministry’s opinion on whether leading GSM telcos – Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular said that they will continue to offer 3G services on a pan-India basis, after a two-member bench of the telecom disputes tribunal (TDSAT) had delivered a split verdict on a petition challenging the Government’s order banning such 3G Roaming agreements as we shared on TelecomTalk on 5th July.
If you Remember, Tata Docomo and AIRCEL called off their mutual agreement for Intra circle 3G Roaming services on 14th December as we reported but Bharti Airtel, Vodafone India and Idea Cellular were continue providing the 3G service via ICRA.
The current licence terms and conditions allow operators to go in for Roaming agreements to enable their subscribers to get seamless mobile network coverage as they move from one circle to other circle in India wherein they doesn’t have any network/spectrum or services.
But in 3G services, leading private operators like Bharti Airtel, Vodafone India and Idea Cellular are selling their 3G products and new connections even in circles where they do not have 3G spectrum/licence. Operators having 3G spectrum pay higher revenue share in the form of ‘ 3G spectrum usage fee’.
Presently only state run telecom operators BSNL and MTNL providing pan India 3G services with all legal terms and conditions of 3G licence.
V.P.Guru August 9, 2012 at 5:49 am
@syam
Yes, off course but they are not beneficial to customers / government (not providing concessional rate of service / paying spectrum fees to government).
V.P.Guru August 9, 2012 at 5:41 am
@bharat
You are right bharat
bharat August 8, 2012 at 7:35 am
@V.P.Guru
Point is not about rationality. its simple give n take u considerd kerala where vodafone dint pay but u dint consider mumbai where idea dint pay n vodafone did. Its a balance there
If you consider such less amt of spectrum and that to all reservations for bsnl/mtnl this is the best solution to deal with it the spectrum crunch . The airwaves can further be cleard for 3g use.
syam August 6, 2012 at 4:48 pm
But we also can say that these big operators are very essential to provide 3g services. Because the quality and more powerful customers are in hands of these operators.
In the case of airtel they are providing 3g in kerala through idea network. ok right. But they are sharing there network to idea in different metros…..
V.P.Guru August 6, 2012 at 8:49 am
For more clarity follow this example:
To 3G provide service in kerala.
Aircel paid = 312.48 Crores
Docomo paid = 312.48 Crores
Idea paid = 312.48 Crores
Airtel paid = 000.00 Crores
Vodafone paid = 000.00 Crores
How it would be rational. Whether they have reduced any concession for people..? may be politicians got it…!!!!
V.P.Guru August 6, 2012 at 8:40 am
@bharat
In the case of Virgin mobiles and TaTa. The original service provider is TaTa and it is marketing by Virgin mobiles. Here virgin mobiles act as a sole selling agent and going to get commission for sale of products. Whereas via ICRA agreement they are using spectrum of another company by making payments between themselves. (Ex: Airtel may use Idea’s spectrum at kerala under the brand name of Airtel – where Airtel does not own spectrum). If Govt allow this then the service provider make inter alliance and it will end up with oligopoly.(Even if the spectrum / License fees is set at least, then also the service providers are not going to slash down the price). Especially AVI are eagerly waiting for loot your money by the name of VAS.
sunny August 5, 2012 at 9:23 pm
PRIVATE OPERATOR sharing 3g network which is illegal and paid less but still 3g video call rate and data charges are higher than BSNL WHY, THINK WHY??? IF once 2g spectrum is alloted then u will see that BSNL WILL BE THE ONLY OPERATOR WHO GIVES SERVICES AT AFFORDABLE RATE.
Rajeev August 5, 2012 at 9:10 pm
@KRISHNAPRASANTH
Correct
Rajeev August 5, 2012 at 9:08 pm
You are correct Krishna
KRISHNAPRASANTH August 5, 2012 at 1:16 pm
DEAR FRIENDS,
ICRA IS NOT A GOOD POLICY. IN KERALA IDEA IS PROVIDING 3G SERVICES. AIRTEL,VODAFONE ETC ARE USING ICRA FROM IDEA. THE FACT IS THOSE OPERATORS ARE NOT IN A POSITION TO MAKE THEIR OWN 3G PLANS. IDEA WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO MAKE CHEAPEST PLAN THAN IDEA. BY USING COMMON SENSE WE CAN UNDERSTAND THIS. THERE WILL BE AN INVISIBLE CONTROL OF IDEA ON ALL ICRA 3G OPERATORS IN KERALA. SO THERE IS NO ACTUAL COMPETITION IS TAKING PLACE HERE. THE ONLY ADVANTAGE IS CUSTOMERS WITH AIRTEL OR VODA CAN USE 3G. BUT ITS A CHEATING TO GOVT BY CELLULAR OPERATORS. IF VODA NEEDS 3G IN KERALA, THEY HAVE TO TAKE SPECTRUM FROM GOVT. IN MALAYALAM THERE IS A PHRASE ” ANIYATHIYE KANICHU CHEDATHIYE KETTIKKUKA”. IT IS NOT CORRECT.
kishor August 4, 2012 at 1:20 pm
idea airtel and vodafone are share the spectrum through illegal method and cheat indian government .
techfrick August 4, 2012 at 10:19 am
idea 3g is good, having decent speed of 3.4 mbps (max. I get). But downtime is more i.e. U cant get good browsing speed all the time.
bharat August 4, 2012 at 8:31 am
Treat this as MVNO like virgin mobile on tata and continue. when dat is allowed why isn’t this?
Renish August 3, 2012 at 9:58 pm
+1
Saurabh Patel August 3, 2012 at 6:25 pm
@techfrick
what about Idea 3G
Saurabh Patel August 3, 2012 at 6:23 pm
So this ICRA should be banned in order to improve quality of 3G services
Saurabh Patel August 3, 2012 at 6:20 pm
In kota,rajasthan only airtel has 3G licence out of 3 operators and 3 operators use 1 network which resulted in decrement of speed of airtel 3g to just 20KBps,as airtel 3g is most powerful.
techfrick August 3, 2012 at 12:44 pm
bsnl has pan india 3g licence only but they dont care about providing good 3g service. Networks are down for half of the daytime almost every circle. Low speed of 1Mbps only (though they are claiming of providing 3.6 Mbps in commercial ads) . Sometimes max. Speed goes lower than 1 Mbps .
In the other hand, the private 3G operators like vodafone ,reliance (except aircel & airtel ) are giving quality 3G services in all the circles they have licence. I personally used all the private 3g services, & i am highly satisfied with vodafone 3g & reliance 3g.. Vodafone 3g gives a constant speed above 5.5Mbps, max. 7 Mbps. Then comes reliance , they gives constant speed above 3.8 Mbps, maximum. 6.5 Mbps. I am getting such speed using micromax mmx 3.5G modem. Additionally, vodafone 3g has the best dns server, page opens just in a blink of eye, reliance 3g dns server is good too..
Now, in case of airtel, they have deployed 3G bts of max. Speed 2Mbps only in most of its 3G circles.. Dns server is ok, but download speed is only between 100-180 KByte/sec which is slowest among all private 3G operators. So, i dont use airtel 3G.
Now, in case of aircel 3g, they also have deployed slow 3G network like airtel. Additionally, their dns server is worst. Their download speed varries from 80-180 KByte/sec. But their 3G packs are cheapest, so its a hit among students. But it has limited coverage, presently it covers only 3 cities in each circle.
Saptarshi Roy August 3, 2012 at 1:02 am
@Saurabh
Nice analysis Saurabh. This should clarify the doubts regarding ICRA. Earlier I used to feel that once the private operators purchased spectrum, it was up to them to use it the way they want but if that is against the t&c then it must stop.
Animesh August 2, 2012 at 9:30 pm
This is unfair to the customers – This infact is a very innovative method to provide service to the customers, Threatening operators is just a way of arm twisting by the Govt watchdog, Where was TRAI when the 2G/3G scams took place
Rajive Borde August 2, 2012 at 12:18 pm
@novicefreak1 +1
Rajive Borde August 2, 2012 at 12:18 pm
when it will be implemented ?
Tharun George August 2, 2012 at 8:52 am
@Sudhakar
I will never say 3G roaming cause loss to the gov. I am of the opinion of allow ICRA. Its good for the consumers.
sunny August 1, 2012 at 11:50 pm
it will stop @Vikas Patidar
novicefreak1 August 1, 2012 at 10:58 pm
Agreed, Icra is not fair. Bsnl paid for pan India..so go for BSNL. Only thing why can’t bsnl improve its services…I never got good speeds crap. Where as in pvt we get good speeds why this? Can anyhow body explain pl….ppl here shared they have seen 19-20 mbps also…how lucky they are…BSNL pl improve ur network…….
Sudhakar August 1, 2012 at 10:48 pm
To Tarun george :
This government is giving many benefits to the waste MPs and MLAs. Thats why it is running in loss. If it diverts those benefits to the people, then you can feel the difference. Do not blindly say that 3G roaming agreement is causing loss to the government.
Sudhakar August 1, 2012 at 10:46 pm
To Ajju :
Well said.
To others :
Here in Tamilnadu, IDEA is sharing Vodafone’s 3G network. I agree that it (IDEA) is selling 3G products. If Vodafone is bothered because of the network sharing with IDEA, let Vodafone terminate the Intra circle roaming agreement. Why DoT is inserting its nose in this issue?. The same will apply for Inter circle 3G (roaming) network sharing also.
sachin August 1, 2012 at 9:47 pm
goood tharun
@Tharun George
ajju August 1, 2012 at 7:04 pm
Yes you are right that big amount is paid for spectrum not for licence but licence and spectrum is two different things and as per present telecom policy on should have both to operate in that particulr circle, AIRTEL,VODAFONE,IDEA have PAN India 2G licence but not PAN India 3G licence.In presnt telecom policy licence is linked wid spectrum if any operator is having spectrum for any particular circle it means he has licence for that circle and if they dont have spectrum for any circle they dont have licence for that circle. Its just a simple thing.
DOT is saying it is illegal, Law ministry is saying it s illegal,finance ministry is saying it is illegal. It is illegal so we cant make any illegal to legal just bcoz that we want to use cheaper 3G services.3G rates will be according to the market sorry FARE MARKET and this ICRA deal is unfare to other operators like BSNL/MTNL,DOCOMO,Reliance and for the new entrants.
The policy is market should be fare for all operators and leave the 3G rates to this FARE MARKET.
DJ August 1, 2012 at 6:02 pm
@Mukherjee
The companies have been informed in advance about these agreements before the auction…..It is illegal to use the natural resources of the country without Government’s permission…..Airtel dont have interest in your circle…..Hence they didnt bid for Kolkata……It is the mistake of the Airtel not the Government….Dont blame everything on TRAI or DOT….Do you think other operators like Docomo, BSNL are stupids to shed thousands of crores for 3G spectrum alloted for your circle…..
sunny August 1, 2012 at 5:57 pm
ONE THING U ALL SHOULD KNOW, WHY PRIVATE OPERATOR 3G VIDEO CALL RATES ARE HIGHER THAN BSNL BUT 2G CALL RATES ARE SOME WHAT EQUAL OR LESSER THAN BSNL. THE REASON IS THEY GOT 2G SPECTRUM LIKE FREE OF COST AND 3G SPECTRUM AT MUCH HIGHER PRICE. SO IF THEY ARE ADVERTISING THIER 2G PLAN THEN THERE IS NO PROBLEM BECAUSE 2G CALL RATES ARE EQUAL OR LESS THAN BSNL CALL RATE BECAUSE THEY GOT IT AT CHEAPER RATE, BUT NOT IN 3G CASE IF PRIVATE OPERATOR IS ADVERTISING THERE 3G RATE THEY WILL FACE PROBLEM BECAUSE BSNL IS OFFERING AT LESSER PRIZE BECAUSE IN THIS ALL OPERATOR PAID THE SAME AMOUNT FOR 3G SPECTRUM. NO ONE CAN PROVIDE AT LESSER THAN BSNL USE UR COMMON SENSE AND THIS IS ONE OF THE MAIN REASON WHY 3G IS NOT VERY POPULAR IN VIDEO CALLING AND NON AVAILABILITY OF 3G SIGNAL AT ALL THE PLACE,. BUT BSNL IS HAVING IN ALL THE PLACE BUT ITS NOT ADVERTISING IT.
Tharun George August 1, 2012 at 5:46 pm
@Saurabh
My suggestion is DOT charge these operators Rs 15 cores license fee, so they can use spectrum sharing to provide 3G on ICRA.
So the govnt is losing less than 15 cores per operator in terms of license fee.
sunny August 1, 2012 at 5:46 pm
LOOK BSNL IS HAVING PAN INDIA LEGAL 3G LICENSE HOLDER ,NONE OTHER. AND BSNL 3G RATES AND QUALITY IS MUCH MUCH BETTER THEN OTHER OPERATOR, THIS 3G ROAMING PACT SHOULD BE AVOIDED AND DOT WILL STOP THIS, . WHEN PRIVATE OPERATOR GOT 2G SPECTRUM LIKE FREE OF COST AND IF THEY WERE REDUCING THE CALL RATE BY SAYING ITS AN OFFER ONLY FOR U, HAR EK DOST JAROORI HOTA HAI , AB PRIZE BADH RAHE HAI TOH GOVT KO BLAME KAR RAHE HO. KABHI 3G VIDEO CALL RATE BATAYA HAI INHONE HOW THEY CAN , THEY KNOW THAT THEY ARE GIVING AT HIGHER PRICES.
Mukherjee August 1, 2012 at 5:03 pm
IRCA should be replaced by ICRA. My mistake.
Jhupoo August 1, 2012 at 4:53 pm
Wow great job. Look back past when this companies looting us in the name of lifetime reacharge rs. 999+.
Airtel makes bigger money and invested in other countries.
Mukherjee August 1, 2012 at 4:44 pm
Just 2 question.
For instance, let us consider Airtel.
If IRCA is discontinued then,
1. Those who are using Airtel for years, and now enjoying 3G in Kolkata(let) have to move to some other operator who holds licensed 3G by a new number or MNP(crap?) in order to enjoy 3G. Or should we stick to stick to our great prehistoric BSNL landline?
2. Is there any recommendation by GOI/TRAI available for people who are going to be jobless for the discontinuation of IRCA?
Mukherjee August 1, 2012 at 4:27 pm
What’s the problem with TRAI? If they don’t want us to use 3g, they can directly declare it. There is no need of these drama.
Saurabh August 1, 2012 at 3:34 pm
Until now spectrum used to come bundled with license. So it was difficult to differentiate between the two. It meant the same.
In 2008, most of the new entrants like Uninor, Videocon, Sistema, Loop, Etiisalat paid Rs.1651 crores and got Pan-India license bundled with 4.4MHz. So one can say that spectrum was provided free of cost as old players didn’t paid anything for extra spectrum also as that is what the terms were and thats the only reason why we witnesses 2G spectrum scam.
But now the license fee has been separated from spectrum fee. So, all the forthcoming auctions or allotment of licenses will have different fee. DoT has set Rs.15 crores for Pan-India license while spectrum fee for every circle will be discovered through auction.
In order to provide services you need both. You can’t provide telecom services with license only. You need spectrum also.
krishnendu August 1, 2012 at 3:26 pm
@tt
It is well understood that 3g ICRA is violating laws,but what about t24 or virgin mobile using docomo network?did they bought license from govt?
Saurabh August 1, 2012 at 3:18 pm
Amount paid by operators for 3G spectrum-
1. Aircel- Rs. 6499.46 crores for 13 circles.
2. Airtel- Rs. 12295.46 crores for 13 circles.
3. BSNL/MTNL- Rs. 16726.20 crores for 22 circles.
4. Idea- Rs. 5768.59 for 11 circles.
5. Reliance Communications- Rs.8585.04 crores for 13 circles.
6. S-Tel (Services stopped. License and Spectrum is idle now)- Rs.337.06 crores for 3 circles.
7. Tata Docomo- Rs. 5864.29 crores for 9 circles.
8. Vodafone- Rs. 11617.86 crores for 9 circles.
Airtel, Idea and Vodafone got a total of 33 (13+11+9) licenses+spectrum for which they paid a total of Rs. 29681.91 crores and providing services to a total of 63 circles excluding Orissa where none of the company got license. So, 22 X 3 – 3 = 63. By paying for only 33 licenses, they virtually have service for 63 licenses.
Loss to Govt. stands at about Rs.20000 plus crores.
GoI always look for money and I know that they will allow operators and ask all of them to share revenues for single license and spectrum. Personally I don’t want DoT to allow such things. If it does happens, the upcoming 2G auctions will see players doing the same thing i.e bidding for some circles and tying-up with others.
krishnendu August 1, 2012 at 3:13 pm
I wonder why these pvt operators are still continuing ICRA!Docomo -aircel stopped it long ago!May be Idea-vf-at have some insider to allow them..and off course a 3g scam is coming soon….
Amit Deb Biswas August 1, 2012 at 3:06 pm
NO MATTER BOSS…. I AM NOW USING VODAFONE 3G…. I GOT OFFER SIM WITH 2GB 3G DATA JUST FOR RS.80 …. AND ENJOYING IT… LAST DAY I DOWNLOADED A 105MB FILE JUST IN 3MIN…. NEXT WEEK I’LL GET ANOTHER ONE…. CHILLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!
Tharun George August 1, 2012 at 3:02 pm
Is 3G spectrum fee and license fee the same?
All are talking about spectrum fee here instead of license fee. The license fee will be very less compared to spectrum fee.
Currently ICRA cause loss to gov in terms of License fee only not on spectrum fee.
Tharun George August 1, 2012 at 2:53 pm
@Saurabh
So whats the difference between ICRA and Roaming? Both is the process of using other network to provide services to the consumers where an operator don’t have spectrum or license.
In case of actual roaming sim card is from place it has license.
I know its against agreement to share 3G spectrum. The best solution is to charge a fee for ICRA license.
Also in kerala Airtel was the first to reduce 3G tariff and soon it was followed by Idea and vodafone. Also tariff are different with them. All 3G operators plans are identical expect aircel. All offer 1GB at Rs 250-255.
In case of Docomo who didn’t had any ICRA were sitting ducks for 3 months to drop rates.
3 operators on 5mhz still keeps idea as the best 3G network with upto 21mbps. See the case of BSNL offering pathetic 3G with 3.6mbps and 7.2mbps in most area.
It was just 4 or 5 operators only few years ago. Then came Docomo and uninor with others who revolutionized India mobile sector with ultra low cost tariff. Its the simple demand and supply principle. When supply increase price falls.
Tharun George August 1, 2012 at 2:37 pm
@ajju
The big amount are paid for the spectrum not license.
Its not a loss. Loss comes when you don’t get money for what you have. Gov had 3 spectrum, all are sold at good price. You cannot assume loss on something that you don’t have. Its the basic rule of accounting.
Tharun George August 1, 2012 at 2:28 pm
@Saurabh
Docomo and Aircel spend cores but they also in favor of ICRA. They are ready to go for ICRA again if government allowed.
2013-2014 auction will be postponed many times and we can expect it around 2015 end or 2016. By that time 3G itself becomes absolute.
As far as I am concerned its good for the consumers to get better service and cheaper plans.
My suggestion is that government should issue license to operators for ICRA.
DJ August 1, 2012 at 1:56 pm
@Asit Paul
It’s legal.There is no problem.
zeeshan August 1, 2012 at 1:55 pm
No Airtel Can not Continue.YOU have to resort to BSNL, Idea DOCOMO and Reliance.@Vikas Patidar
DJ August 1, 2012 at 1:50 pm
@Sudhakar
First understand the ICRA pact completely….Dont throw your words at TRAI and DOT withour understanding…..They have not banned roaming…..
ICRA AGREEMENT – Airtel,vodafone provide 3G service in circles where they dont have license and they use the spectrum of other operator here IDEA. Airtel,Vodafone and Idea use the same IDEA signal for their operations……
Rajive Borde August 1, 2012 at 1:47 pm
+10 Very well explained. Thanks
abhishek mittal August 1, 2012 at 1:47 pm
@Vikas Patidar
no..it will be stopped like up east(currently running)
DJ August 1, 2012 at 1:43 pm
@Tharun George
It can be done since most of the 3G spectrum is present in the hands of Armed Forces…Only pan India optic fibre cable connectivity for Armed Forces can solve this problem…….
Saurabh August 1, 2012 at 1:43 pm
You are not at all understanding the matter. Those operators who are sharing 2G network have both paid license fees to Goverment and have spectrum and got time to install their own infrastructure. But in 3G they are sharing even without having a license and paying single penny to Government. Try to understand this thing. Airtel and Vodafone can’t install their own infrastructure as they don’t have license. They are simply providing 3G to its customers and what Goverment is getting is nothing. They are not even sharing their revenues which is a must for operators and hence violating terms.
Both Inter Circle and Intra Circle Roaming has been defined differently. If that becomes legal, in upcoming auctions, operators like Uninor bid for license in 2-3 circles and in rest of India they will tie-up with other companies to go Pan-India.
Just give a thought to what you are saying Mr. George.
As far as competition is concerned, ICRA is not responsible for prices being down. Look Airtel and Vodafone don’t have license for Kerala circle, can they price their 3G service lower than Idea? But Aircel, Tata and BSNL can do as they are not part of Airtel-Vodafone-Idea cartel. So ICRA is killing competition because of rising AVI monopoly. Plans are identical because of their monopoly.
Operators have only 5MHz of spectrum in each circle. So in Kerela if Idea is donating its network to Airtel and Vodafone, 3 operators are operating on just 5MHz and all in all customers will be a loser who will get sub-standard service.
Isn’t 4 operators (5 in some circles) per circles enough?
Vikas Patidar August 1, 2012 at 1:38 pm
I didn’t understand the issue clearly.
Can anybody please tell me I am using Airtel 3G service. And I know Airtel don’t have license in MP, so will Airtel continue 3G services or not?
ajju August 1, 2012 at 1:37 pm
@Tharun George
Benefits of ICRA
1. Customer can remain on same operator to get 3G service.
2. More players, more competition and tariff goes down.
3. Network sharing is good for environment.
4. Choice of two network at the same time. If one get congested or no coverage can switch to another without porting.
you are saying these are the benefits of ICRA because you dont know about the demerits of the ICRA agreement
I just explain that BSNL and MTNL together paid about 18000 crores for 3G licence in PAN India but airtel, vodafone and idea each paid about 5000 crore for licence and due to ICRA now they are providing 3G services in PAN India it means there is a loss of around 13000*3=39000 crore to govt. of india. Loss to govt. of India means loss to Common man of India.
JUST THINK OF IT
Saurabh August 1, 2012 at 1:03 pm
@Tharun George, It’s on defence department whether they vacate spectrum for general public use or not and the amount of spectrum to be auctioned. Govermenent or DoT can’t force Defence on it.
Some operators like Tata Docomo started services in 2009. Why they waited for spectrum till 2008. Why didn’t they entered into ICRA with other GSM operators. It would have saved them crores of rupees. Aircel started services in Haryana in 2010 after getting spectrum. If we go by what Airtel-Idea-Vodafone is doing, there was no need for Aircel to get 2G license in Haryana. They also had got into pact with other operators and operated as MVNO. Everything looks good if it’s done systematically and within the laws.
2 Slots of 3G will be auctioned in 2013-14. Can’t other operators wait till then?
Reliance-Aircel-Tata Docomo also don’t have license for all circles but they are not getting into pacts and some of them stopped it. They are operating well in their circles.
Merger of companies can solve problem in near future as per NTP but currently they have to surrender one license which results in loss of spectrum.
@Asit Paul, 2G Intra Circle Roaming is allowed only if both the companies sharing the spectrum have license separately. It is allowed so that companies which don’t have much infrastructure in a circle gets time to install it. But it doesn’t mean they can continue using other networks. They have to complete the roll-out of their own network.
@Biswadeb, It is 80Kbps not 80KBps. 80 Kilo Bits= 10 Kilo Bytes and I talked about Airtel not Idea. Airtel has capped speed to 80Kbps i.e 10KBps for 2G users accessing 3G network.
Idea has capped speed to 128Kbps or 16KBps. Any user having 2G pack active and using 3G network gets 128Kbps constant speed. A 1MB file takes 64 seconds to complete.
Rajiv A August 1, 2012 at 12:17 pm
Why Dot just asking and not initiating action for terminating mobile service licences of Bharti Airtel, Vodafone India and Idea Cellular for illegal 3g roaming as law ministry clearly said ? They are waiting for kick-bags from operators ?
Arka August 1, 2012 at 11:05 am
@Saurabh
Yap,you are absolutely correct Saurabh.
Manish Adhikari August 1, 2012 at 11:02 am
Reliance 3G rocks in terms of their 3G packs in all over India. they provide 27GB in Rs. 3000/- for 180days. It means Rs. 111/- per GB and 4GB+ per month if you recharge it from their website. What else can we expect now from companies…
Speed wise and connectivity wise also Reliance rocks here in Delhi!!! No other competes with it till date….
I hope soon 3G roaming will be ended in a positive manner.
Thanks!!!
Asit Paul August 1, 2012 at 10:53 am
Please tell me whether 2G Intra Circle Roaming is legal or not?
Abhay August 1, 2012 at 10:21 am
Any practice of these trio agreement which causes loses to exchequer of Indian Govt. must be stopped with immediate effect. As license fee was paid by only one Service Provider and in the same fee how can additional two can operate this is ethically a very big question. In my opinion, TRAI/DoT/MoT should ICRA only with payment of equal amount of license fee by any service provider whosoever wants to enter ICRA arrangment. Every cirlce has atleast 3 service providers of 3G (excluding BSNL/MTNL) so still 3G services competition do exist in every circle. This step of DoT/TRAI is not going to affect 3G prices any further. As a result of 3G competition, already 3G services are being offered for 1GB@Rs.31 (by Tata DOCOMO). More of such competition is yet to be seen. This will come gradually not at once.
Tharun George August 1, 2012 at 10:16 am
It was the government who put only 4 3G license available for 10 operators. If they are going to stop ICRA, government should make available more 3G license for Auction.
Tharun George August 1, 2012 at 10:14 am
@Saurabh
In kerala BSNL, Idea, Aircel and Docomo have 3G license. But only Idea have good coverage followed by BSNL. Aircel and Docomo has only 3G in very few cities.
Due to ICRA I can choose 3G from Airtel, Vodafone and Idea on Idea network. 3 of them has similar competitive plan and good service. If ICRA is stopped Idea will rule kerala 3G segment. They may hike plan since no one less can provide statewide 3G.
ICRA is just network sharing. All governments support network sharing which reduce environmental impact. There is not much difference between normal roaming and ICRA. In roaming network of another provider is used for service and in ICRA also same thing. Only customer not actually roaming.
There are many operators share 2G network with other operator even if they have license. For example, Docomo use Aircel network to provide 2G service in some parts of kerala where they don’t have network. Since its 2G they don’t care.
Airtel have poor coverage at some part of kerala. But due to ICRA I cna use Airtel on Idea 3G network with ver good coverage and same tariff.
Benefits of ICRA
1. Customer can remain on same operator to get 3G service.
2. More players, more competition and tariff goes down.
3. Network sharing is good for environment.
4. Choice of two network at the same time. If one get congested or no coverage can switch to another without porting.
If its against the policy, government should change the policy to allow ICRA on special fees. Ban on this very good concept is not good for anyone. Government also should think about the millions of consumers who benefit from ICRA.
Saurabh August 1, 2012 at 9:06 am
Can you tell me when 2G services were started way back in 2003-04, how many takers were there? There were hardly 8-9 handsets available in the market with Internet support and used to cost 8-10K and data plans cost were as high as 800-1000. I don’t understand why some people come to conclusion so early. 3G hasn’t even completed 2 years in India and yet it is doing well as compared to the response 2G got in its initial years because 3G handsets cost at initial stages of 3G was 40-60% less than what 2G handset cost in 2003-04.
It was only late 2009 when prices of 2G data fell drastically when Tata Docomo entered GSM segment and to add customers quickly they provide service at throwaway prices. At that time 2G market had matured enough for cost cutting and GPRS/EDGE enabled handsets were available for low cost and users were possessing it. So, it took atleast 6 years for 2G to become affordable. So you can’t compare 2 years of 3G with 6-9 years of 3G. In next 4 years who know 3G will cost Rs.50 for 2GB when penetration gets high.
We don’t even have 15 percent of the total mobile customers using Mobile Internet which is much less. So only 10-15 customers out of 100 are on 2G/3G/1X/EV-DO.
Saurabh August 1, 2012 at 8:36 am
@Sudhakar
Do you really understand the issue? Department of Telecom is not asking operators to stop providing Inter-Circle roaming but here the issue is of Intra-Circle roaming. Operators are selling 3G services in areas where they don’t hold 3G license and it is illegal as per licensing terms and conditions.
Look, I’m from Haryana and we have four 3G operators who got the license in 2010 spectrum auction and they are Idea, Tata Docomo and Vodafone. One slot for BSNL was reserved, so they didn’t participated in the auctions. So, a maximum of three private operators had to get license in auction and those three are mentioned.
As other operators like Reliance, Aircel, Airtel, Videocon didn’t got license, they in no way can provide 3G services in Haryana. Aircel got into ICRA with Tata Docomo but stopped services in Dec, 2011 after DoT asked operators to do so. Reliance, Videocon didn’t entered any pact.
Similarlly Airtel don’t have 3G license for Haryana and they are providing 3G to its customers in Haryana using Idea’s 3G spectrum which in all ways illegal.
Idea-Airtel-Vodafone did the same for other circles too. Wherever one or two of them have spectrum, the other one is using their network.
Rules defined under 2G suggests that two companies can only get into Intra Circle Roaming if both of them have license for that circle but in 3G companies clearly violated the terms.
For Delhi circle, Airtel, MTNL, Reliance and Vodafone have the license for providing 3G but Idea cellular which don’t have the license is also providing using Airtel and Vodafone 3G network. If Idea customer from any other circle say Haryana comes to Delhi and use Airtel or Vodafone 3G network it is legal as it will be Inter Circle Roaming Agreement but Idea can’t provide service to their Delhi customers.
@Tharun George, As far as 3G price revision is concerned, it was Aircel who reduced the prices first by providing unlimited 3G with 50MB FUP for Rs.8 and 997 for 10GB data and then Airtel followed. Aircel is thus far has the cheapest 3G plans.
Tharun George August 1, 2012 at 7:57 am
The main objective of TRAI and DOT is to increase competition and reduce cost. So try should allow ICRA and increase competition in the segment.
Airtel was one of the first to reduce 3G cost soon it was followed by others. I think it was due to this ICRA. If not others don’t have to reduce where there no Airtel 3G competition.
sai August 1, 2012 at 7:38 am
no problem they make tricks to escape this situation very easily
Anoop CH August 1, 2012 at 7:09 am
sudhakar the Govt is doing the best for its people. They are not stopping roaming but stopping sale of services where these telecos don’t have license… read clearly… Tata and aircel stopped selling. I why should others do?
roaming is going to be removed from 2013..
3g roaming agreement is illegal.
Sudhakar August 1, 2012 at 6:30 am
Already 3G is a flop because of its high data price (even after reduction). In this condition, if this stupid and _*cking DoT says to stop 3G roaming pact, then all operators must threaten the central government by surrendering their 2G licenses and want refund. Then only this selfish government will understand.
If 3G roaming agreement is cancelled, 3G will be a flop and will go to the MINUS level from the present ZERO level.