Jammu, July 6: Clouds of uncertainty continue to hover over the launch of much-awaited 3G service by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) in the twin capital cities of Srinagar and Jammu following fresh reservations shown by the central security agencies in view of the strong radio disturbance from Pakistan. Sources said that major cause of concern for the security agencies was the fact that telecom operators across the border are using same band, which had been allotted to the operators in the state.
 Officials sources said that Union Ministries of Home Affairs and Communication have asked the telecom operators, particularly BSNL to review the entire set of equipment being installed in the state, for the monitoring of the service, as some loopholes were found in earlier systems.
 Reliable sources claimed that Reliance Telecom, which had launched the service in January this year, Aircel and Idea Cellular – which won the bids to start service in the state - have also complained about the communication interference.
 “The 3G services was expected to be launched in June and necessary trail was being run. However, central security agencies are not convinced about our monitoring and security measures”, a senior official in the state owned BSNL said, adding, “Recently they (security agencies) conducted detailed monitoring but pointed out that Pakistani telecom companies were using the same band allocated to Indian telecom companies”.
 A senior official from the BSNL said that though the service provider has upgraded its equipment as per the directions of the agencies particularly the Wireless Monitoring Organisation (WMO), which monitor wireless communication in India, but still there is no word from the central government.
 Pertinent to mention here that BSNL had launched the limited service in 2010 but it was later suspended following directions of the Home Ministry and since then the final decision is pending with the security agencies.
 When contacted General Manager (Mobile) BSNL, K.K Thakur confirmed that security clearance for the launch of service was still awaited. “We are testing our new equipments and complying with the directions of the Central Telecom Ministry. Everything is being done so that people can take advantage of this technology”, he said.
 However he refused elaborate saying that the matter pertains to the security system and he was not authorised to deliberate upon it.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 6 Jul 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 6 Jul 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 7 Jul 2011 00:00:00 IST