Tata DoCoMo launches 3G services

Tata Teleservices, which has Japanese firm DoCoMo as partner, on Wednesday launched 3G mobile services in nine circles, enabling subscribers to access high speed Internet and video telephony.

With this, Tata DoCoMo became the first private telecom firm to launch 3G mobile services in the country. Two state owned firms -- BSNL and MTNL -- had launched the services more than a year ago.

Tatas had bagged 3G spectrum in nine circles of Kerala, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh (including Chhatisgarh), Rajasthan, Gujarat, UP (West), Punjab, Haryana and Maharashtra in the auction held recently.

Tata DoCoMo's 3G network, set up with the assistance of NTT DoCoMo, supports high-speed Internet access with speeds of up to 21.1 Mbps and the services would be available on commercial basis from the mid-night tomorrow, that is November 5 morning on the day of Diwali.

TTSL MD Anil Sardana said, "We have been able to complete the ramp-up of our network to support 3G services due to the superb 3G-ready network we created at the time of our 2G launch itself, last year. Our 3G roll out across all nine circles will be completed this year itself."

Ryuji Yamada, President and CEO of NTT DoCoMo, said, "After nearly a decade of success in providing 3G service in Japan, we are delighted to have lent our technical and business knowhow to TTSL, our strategic global partner. Going forward, NTT DoCoMo will continue to leverage its mobile expertise and value-added services in markets worldwide through collaboration with partners such as TTSL."