Mobile India Forum 2006: “Why Not 4G?”

I attended the Mobile India Forum 2006 organized by Electronics Today on the 6th of September, where discussions centered around Emerging Technologies in Mobile Communications. With the issue of spectrum allocation hogging the headlines of late, debate on spectrum-heavy technologies was bound to take center stage: Prof. Jhunjhunwala of IIT Madras questioned the viability of implementing 3G, while his recommendation of India taking the lead in developing 4G technology was echoed by Dr. M.V. Pitake of Medini Consultants.
Prof. Jhunjhunwala highlighted the role that reducing tariffs and low cost of handsets have played in India’s mobile growth- cost per call is 1 cent a minute at an ARPU of $7 a month, with handset prices of less than $25. In fact, even when CDMA handset prices were marginally higher at $5 more than that of GSM handsets, a hue and cry was raised.
He also said that spectrum shortage is a key issue, but not enough is being done to optimize the usage of spectrum. While 3G will have a “bit higher” spectral efficiency, and a “bit higher” data rate, it should only be deployed when the price is right. When compared to low-end DSL broadband of 256kbps, 3G and WiMax just cannot compete, until at least 2009 when the price will be right. Even rural deployment of cellular telephony is not viable because it will not gain acceptance until ARPU becomes $2 per month, and tariff 0.5 cents per month. At present, such tariffs will push all operators to bankruptcy. He mentioned a product that has just been developed – a mini GSM station that costs only $400, can take 100-200 subscribers on 1-2 watt power, and will cost a consumer $2 a month. He stressed the need for developing 4G technology and not getting caught up in the race for 3G.
Dr. Pitke reiterated Prof. Jhunjhunwala’s point of -

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