Rediff On The Net, Infotech: AirTel completes testing new GSM handset


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January 13, 1998

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AirTel completes testing new GSM handset

AirTel, Delhi's first cellular phone service, in association with Ericsson, has successfully demonstrated the integration of the GSM-1800 technology with their existing GSM-900.

The first test call was made at the AirTel office in Okhla, near Delhi, last week.

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AirTel had obtained clearance from the Wireless Planning Cell of the Department of Telecommunications in November for six carrier frequencies in the 1800 MHz band.

The licence, given for field testing the new technology and proving commercial viability, expires on January 15, 1998 and AirTel will have to obtain a new licence to offer the service commercially.

The Cellular Operators Association of India is understood to have taken the issue up with the DoT and a clearance for 1800 GSM is expected soon.

Anil Nayar, CEO, Bharti Cellular Limited, said, "AirTel has always tried to look into the future and plan ahead for the customer. The successful testing of GSM 1800 and its integration with our existing GSM 900 network is yet another step in this direction.''

The costs of the dual mode hand-sets are expected to be about 10-15 per cent higher than comparable 900 or 1800 handsets and the end cost to subscriber will not increase.

In fact, according to Nayar, the customer will be transparent to the dual-mode network. Apart from the ability to sustain a larger subscriber base, the GSM 1800 is also expected to allow AirTel to offer data pipes of 64 KBPS (sustained) over the network.

Current data transfer rates over the GSM 900 network are 9.6 KBPS.

With better penetration profile than GSM 900, the new 1800 MHz technology is expected to greatly enhance coverage and effectiveness of AirTel's network, especially in high-traffic (cellular) areas.

AirTel, in its test system, has used the same ground infrastructure (base stations etc.) and has just added transmitters and receivers for the 1800 MHz band.

Thus, with minimum investment in infrastructure, the company has been able to offer the advantage of GSM 1800 to its subscribers.

- Compiled from the Indian media