Definition

 

3G is the third generation of mobile phone standards and technology. 3G supersedes 2Gtechnology and precedes 4G technology. 3G technologies enables faster data-transmission speeds, greater network capacity and more advanced network services.

The first commercial launch of 3G worldwide was kicked off in Japan on Oct. 1, 2001 by NTT DoCoMo.

Difference Between 2g and 3g Technology

 

Function:

While 2G networks primarily involve the transmission of voice information, 3G technology provides the additional advantage of data transfer. 3G can download information at 14 Megabits per second, while uploading 5.8 Megabits per second.

Significance:

3G technology offers a higher level of security than 2G networks. 3G networks allow authentication procedures when communicating with other devices.

Considerations:

Due to the advancements of 3G technology's data transfers, many additional features are available to those networks utilizing the system, unlike 2G. These features include mobile TV, video transfers and GPS systems.

 

Applications

 

The bandwidth and location information available to 3G devices gives rise to applications not previously available to mobile phone users. Some of the applications are:

• Mobile TV – A Mobile Phone Service provider redirects a TV channel directly to the subscriber's phone where it can be watched.

 

• Video on demand – A Mobile Phone Service provider sends a movie to the subscriber's phone.

• Video conferencing – subscribers can see as well as talk to each other.

 

• Tele-medicine – a medical provider monitors or provides advice to the potentially isolated subscriber.

• Location-based services – a provider sends localized weather or traffic conditions to the phone, or the phone allows the subscriber to find nearby businesses or friends.

 

India Scenario

 

In 2008, India entered the 3G arena with the launch of 3G enabled Mobile and Data services by Government owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL).  Later, MTNL launched 3G in Delhi and Mumbai Nationwide auction of 3G wireless spectrums was announced in April 2010 and the government collected a total amount of Rs.67718.95 core through 3G spectrum auction. The first Private-sector service provider that launched 3G services is Tata Docomo, on November 5, 2010, which may followed by Reliance Communications, on December 13,2010. Other providers like Bharati Airtel, Vodafone, Idea and Aircel are expected to launch 3G services by January 2011.

Operator Wise Circle Wise Detail

 

Tariff Plans

 

BSNL 3G

 

Initial SIM Charges for both postpaid and prepaid service:

Cost of SIM (Inclusive of Service Tax) in Rs. : 300
Talk Value in Rs. : NIL
Initial Validity in days : 7
Migration from 2-G to 3-G : Not feasible at present
Applicable to : Voice & Data plan

Voice Plans: Prepaid

Voice Prepaid: Activation Vouchers (for choosing a particular plan)
Talk value in : Rs. 270
Validity in Days : 30

Call Charges in Rs./Min

Local – On-net : 0.40
Local – Off-net : 0.70
Local-Video calls : 2.00
STD – On-net : 1.00
STD – Off-net : 1.00
STD – Video calls : 3.00

P2P SMS (Rs./SMS)

SMS – Local : 0.50
SMS – National : 1.00
SMS- International : 5.00
Data usage in Rs./MB : 3.00

BSNL 3G Data Plans

Trial Pack
Trial Pack - 50 MB : Rs 60 (15 days Validity)
Trial Pack - 100 MB : Rs 120 (15 days Validity)

 

Data Plans: Prepaid

Plan Price in Rs. : 250
Free data usage in GB : 0.30
Validity (Days) : 30
Data Charges in Rs./MB : 2.00

Plan Price in Rs. : 400
Free data usage in GB : 1
Validity (Days) : 30
Data Charges in Rs./MB : 2.00

Plan Price in Rs. : 650
Free data usage in GB : 2
Validity (Days) : 30
Data Charges in Rs./MB : 2.00

Plan Price in Rs. : 1000
Free data usage in GB : 5
Validity (Days) : 30
Data Charges in Rs./MB : 2.00

Plan Price in Rs. : 3001
Free data usage in GB : unlimited
Validity (Days) : 30

 

 

MTNL 3G

 

Activation charges (one time)	Rs.300/- (inclusive of tax)
Tariff :
Local/STD/ISD voice calls and SMS	As per the Dolphin tariff plan opted
Local Video call :
a. To own N/W	Rs. 1.80/min.
b. To other N/W	Rs. 3.00/min.
STD Video calls	Rs.3.75/min.
ISD Video Calls	Rs.30/min.
Validity	NIL
Data rates	Rs 5/-MB(pulse of 100 kb)

Thus any customer existing or new will get 3G services as add-on on his existing Dolphin plan.

 

 

Tata Docomo 3G

 

Speed	Postpaid  Rental	Prepaid RCV	Free Data	Post Free Usage at Lower Speed	Validity
3.6 Mbps	Rs. 1000	Rs. 1000	5 GB	Beyond 5 GB to 15 GB, FREE at 128 kbps speed. Speed Laval-3 : Up to 10 Kbps beyond 15 GB.	30 days
3.6 Mbps	Rs. 1250	Rs. 1250	10 GB	Beyond 10 GB, FREE up to 20 GB   at 128 kbps speed. Speed Laval-3 : Up to 10 Kbps beyond 20 GB.	30 days
7.2 Mbps	Rs. 1275	Rs. 1275	5 GB	Beyond 5 GB, FREE up to 15 GB   at 128 kbps speed Speed Laval-3 : Up to 10 Kbps beyond 15 GB.	30 days
7.2 Mbps	Rs. 1500	Rs. 1500	10 GB	Beyond 10 GB, FREE up to 20 GB   at 128 kbps speed Speed Laval-3 : Up to 10 Kbps beyond 20 GB.	30 days
21.1 Mbps	Rs. 2000	NA	15 GB	Beyond 15 GB, FREE up to 30 GB   at 128 kbps speed Speed Laval-3 : Up to 10 Kbps beyond 30 GB.	30 days

 

Note: All above plans will be available with effect from 10 November 2010

 

 

Reliance 3G

 

Reliance 3G Mobile Broadband – USB Data Card Price

 

Download Speed	USB Data Card Price
7.2 Mbps	Rs 2599
21 Mbps	Rs 4499

 

Reliance 3G Postpaid Tariffs- Pay as you go

 

Postpaid users will be charged on the basis of usage and charges are below. So no monthly rental just pays for what you use.

 

Data usage	Data Charges
Upto 50MB	10p per 10kB
Above 50 MB	one paisa per 10kB

 

Reliance 3G Prepaid Tariff – Data Packs

 

Data Pack Cost	Free Data Usage	Validity
Rs 20	25 MB	One Day
Rs 98	125 MB	One Week
Rs 100	100 MB	One Month
Rs 399	500 MB	One Month
Rs 649	1 GB	One Month
Rs 899	3 GB	One Month
Rs 1499	10 GB	One Month
Rs 2100	21 GB	One Month

Plans with one month validity are also available for postpaid users.

 

Reliance 3G Mobile TV Tariff

 

Reliance 3G Mobile TV available with daily, weekly and monthly plans. Customers can select single channel at a daily price of Rs 10. Except Devotional channels pack all other packs are available for Daily, weekly and monthly viewing. The key feature is that is does not charge separate data charges unlike Tata Docomo which has separate data charges.

 

Pack	No of channels	Daily Price	Weekly Price	Monthly Price
News	15	Rs 25	Rs 75	Rs 150
Kids	15	Rs 25	Rs 75	Rs 150
Fun	15	Rs 25	Rs 75	Rs 150
Devotional	5	NA	NA	Rs 100
Mega Pack	75	Rs 50	Rs 100	Rs 250
Single Channel	1	Rs 10	Rs 35	Rs 75

 

Reliance 3G Combo Plans – Postpaid Tariff

 

Monthly Cost	Voice Minutes	SMS	Data Usage
Rs 199	300	50	50 MB
Rs 499	1000	600	100 MB
Rs 2499	6000	6000	6 GB

 

Reliance 3G Combo Plans – Prepaid Tariff

 

Monthly Cost	Voice Minutes	SMS	Data Usage
Rs 299	300	100	200 MB
Rs 699	600	600	500 MB