The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India or TARI said Monday in New Delhi that it had started consultations for the next level of telecom services, even as the Indian government was debating as to when the auction of the third-generation or 3G spectrum should be held, reports say.

The fourth-generation, or 4G or Long-Term Evolution or LTE technology, known as the ultra-broadband, offers, among other services, download at a fast speed and high-definition video on demand.

Chairman J.S. Sharma said TRAI would soon come out with a consultation paper to address various issues relating to 4G telecom services. This did not mean that the 3G process would be skipped, as the government took steps to auction the 3-G spectrum soon.

The 4G services are a successor to 3G and 2G standards, to provide a wide range of data rates up to ultra-broadband (gigabit-speed) internet access to mobile, as well as stationary, users.

TRAI said the paper would cover all aspects, including the spectrum band, to be allotted for 4G services as also the quantum and modes of allotment to operators.

TRAI's move to leapfrog to 4G technology is, hopefully, coming in the wake of the government 3-year dithering over its 3G policy. Consequently, many foreign players, including US-based Motorola and Ericsson, began testing the 4G technology in other parts of the world.

Source:RTTNews